The Chronicle: Colloquy: The question

THE QUESTION

The Educational Testing Service is conducting research on how to identify "strivers": students whose standardized-test scores exceed expectations for their racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic group. Some educators hope this process would allow colleges to give extra consideration to applicants whose scores on standardized tests may not be otherwise competitive, but who exceed the norms for their group. Supporters of the "strivers" concept see it as a way to preserve racial diversity in higher education in states or at institutions where the use of affirmative action has been banned. Critics see it as racial preferences under another name. They question the system's fairness, and whether the students who benefit would be prepared to succeed at the colleges that admit them. Should colleges give extra consideration in admissions to applicants whose scores on standardized tests exceed the norms for their racial or ethnic group? Is such an approach a valid way for colleges to assure racial diversity if affirmative action is barred?

For further information, see this background story:

More Points for 'Strivers': the New Affirmative Action? (9/17/99)

: 31 RESPONSES (New 5/6)

JOIN THE DEBATE

STEP 1: Your contact information (required)

Your name:

Your title & institution:

Your phone:

Your e-mail address:

STEP 2: Your comments

STEP 3: Submit!

Be sure to include your name and affiliation. Legitimate requests for anonymity will be honored.

The Chronicle maintains Colloquy as an open forum where readers can comment on issues. Submissions may be condensed or edited for clarity, but editing is kept to a minimum. We correct errors in spelling, punctuation, etc. In addition, we remove statements that have the potential to be libelous or to slander someone. In cases in which people make claims that could be libelous, we will remove the names of institutions and departments. But in those cases, we will not alter the ideas contained in the submissions.

Please read our privacy policy or our Colloquy help page if you have questions.

Check this box only if you would like this submission to be considered for publication as a letter to the editor in the printed Chronicle.