A group of students and community organizations are threatening to sue the University of California system for requiring standardized test scores in its admissions process, citing concerns about inequity.
The coalition includes three students, five nonprofits and the Compton Unified School District. Lawyers representing the group sent a letter to the system on Tuesday, arguing that tests like the SAT and ACT are proven to disadvantage low-income students and students of color.
In California, 44 percent of White students scored 1200 or above on the SAT, compared to 12 percent of Latinx students and 10 percent of Black students, according to 2018 College Board data. In the last year, the organization FairTest found that nearly 50 schools have made standardized test scores optional.
According to the letter, the University of California system has ten business days to respond before lawyers file a state civil rights lawsuit for discrimination.
