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1/ A few thoughts about the SAT's new "adversity score" and its inadequacy for addressing systemic inequity in education and college access...
2/ First, let's make things clear for those not up on the story: the College Board (folks responsible for the SAT) are reporting "adversity scores" to colleges, intended to signify when students have faced special obstacles that might explain their somewhat lower scores...
3/ Or, potentially, when they have had unearned advantages that may explain their higher ones. In theory this is fine, and laudable. But there are problems...
4/ First, to admit that the test is contingent on class status and quality of k-12 schooling means it is NOT an accurate indicator of potential or intellect, which then begs the question: why use this shit at all then?...
5/ But putting all that aside for a second--forget the analysis and data and politics--let me just tell you a story. It is a story that involves the guy who has shepherded this change into the College Board. The head of the College Board, David Coleman...
6/ And before I tell this story let me say I like David quite a bit and have a lot of respect for him. I think he sincerely believes what he is doing is positive. I simply think he is wrong, and this story suggests at one level why...
7/ So, in academic year 1985-86, David Coleman was a member of the top debate team at Stuyvesant HS in NY. I was the # 3 debater at Hillsboro HS in Nashville, which meant I debated at various tournaments w/the 1 and 2 (Robert Harris & Todd Jackson), but generally was 2nd team...
8/ That summer (86), we were all in Tulsa, OK for the National Forensics League Nationals (Todd and Robert were debating, I was there for student Congress), and David was there for debate (I'm assuming with his partner, now journalist and author Hanna Rosin)...
9/ One morning, Robert, Todd, David and I (and possibly Hanna, I can't recall) went to breakfast at a Waffle House near the hotel where we were staying. Waffle House, btw, best hash browns ever...anyway, when the waitress came along I will never forget what David said to her...
10/ He said, "I would like a grit please..." A grit. Not grits, plural but "a grit" singular. Ok, now at the time it was funny, and as a southerner who grew up on grits I was like, WTF, seriously? But here's the point: this guy was from Manhattan. Why WOULD he know about grits?.
11/ Fact is, his ignorance re: grits was no different than the ignorance of the typical kid from Meridian MS about Lox & bagels or rugelach. My point: this shit is all about exposure...
12/ Intelligence and wisdom is not measurable on a standardized test unless ALL TEACHING IS STANDARDIZED...unless curricula is standardized and unless opportunity is made truly equal. ..
13/ While I respect David Coleman & think his intentions are good, I would ask that he (and all of us) reflect on the socially & culturally contingent nature of knowledge & rethink what the College Board does & what the SAT is, bc adversity scores don't address this adequately
14/ So long as the educational system is unequal, using standardized tests to assess unstandardized students, with unstandardized backgrounds will be inherently unjust. NO reform. Just abolition of these absurd measurements...
