University of California Faculty Push to Bring Back SAT and ACT Score Consideration

Admissions Policy & Higher Education Trends - The University of California system has stopped considering SAT and ACT scores for admission since 2020 and adopted a test-blind policy [1][8] - Thousands of faculty members disagree with the test-free protocol and want the institution to reconsider its policy [1] - The University of California system is unique because it went test-blind rather than test-optional, meaning admissions officers cannot consider standardized test scores even if submitted [8] - Certain campuses within the system, such as UC Riverside and UC Merced, accept over 90% of all applicants and serve localized populations [9] - The University of California system faced a federal funding freeze of more than $500,000,000 in federal research grants from the administration last year [18] Workforce & Education Technology - The education and labor markets are experiencing a surge of AI boot camps driven by workers and students seeking to upskill due to anxiety over job market impacts [20][21] - The effectiveness of short-term, non-degree AI boot programs remains uncertain because employers have not clearly defined required AI skills [22]