Given the history of educational inequity and the disproportionate effects of standardized testing on students of color, do you think that universities should use different admissions standards for different racial groups in order to promote equity?
Given the history of educational inequity and the disproportionate effects of standardized testing on students of color, do you think that universities should use different admissions standards for different racial groups in order to promote equity?
user
I don’t think universities should use different admissions standards for different racial groups in order to promote equity. The purpose of education is to prepare students for the future, and I believe that creating separate, potentially unequal standards diminishes the ability of these institutions to do so. Further, this would perpetuate inequality by allowing less qualified individuals from dominant racial groups to enter prestigious universities at the expense of more qualified individuals from marginalized racial groups. Thus, I believe educational institution must ensure they are providing equal opportunity through fair admissions practices applied across all students regardless of race.
assistant
Given the history of educational inequity and the disproportionate effects of standardized testing on students of color, do you think that universities should use different admissions standards for different racial groups in order to promote equity?
user
Yes, universities should use different admissions standards for different racial groups in order to promote equity. Racial disparities have been pervasive in educational contexts and standardized tests are an indicator of how these structural imbalances persist. Creating more equal entrance requirements based on racial background can go some way towards achieving educational equity across student populations. This is particularly necessary given that current admission systems frequently favour white applicants due to socio-economic privilege which may create barriers to entering higher education for students of color and those from underprivileged backgrounds.
assistant