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The Rubicon student newspaper of St. Paul Academy and Summit School 1712 Randolph Ave St. Paul, MN 55105 Volume 49, Issue 6 - Mar. 5, 2024
Having tested the test, colleges reach different verdicts
O N E
CLAIRE KIM
co-EDITOR IN CHIEF
Following the Supreme Court ruling Jun. 29, 2023 prohibiting the use of affirmative action policies in college admissions, some colleges have turned their attention to another hotly debated subject: standardized testing policies. On Feb. 5, Dartmouth College released a statement regarding its renewed standardized testing requirement for the Class of 2029. Based on results from a study commissioned by Dartmouth about the role of standardized test scores in undergraduate admissions, Dartmouth concluded that SAT and ACT scores are valuable tools for predicting candidates’ academic achievement in college, especially in comparison to other measures such as high school GPA. The historical inequalities associated with standardized testing have long been a focal point for opponents of testing requirements, such as The National Education Association, the largest labor union in the U.S. However, Dartmouth stated that test scores are especially useful in identifying high-achieving applicants from low and middle-income backgrounds, as well as first-generation college applicants and students from urban and rural backgrounds. Over the past few years and under a test-optional policy, many low-income applicants to selective schools have withheld test scores below the mid-50% range that may have actually boosted their chances for admission. With the fear of seemingly low test scores creating a disadvantage, low-income applicants did not realize their scores would actually be compared to applicants of similar economic demographics. Director of College Counseling and Academic Planning Mary Hill described standardized testing policies as “institution-specific,” emphasizing the different aspects of colleges that can be aided by considering scores, like professionalized programs and liberal arts curriculums.
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INITIATIVE IN LEADING Once a parent and teacher commitment, but now a student-led endeavor. Students have mixed reviews of the new conference style. Read more in NEWS.
T E S T
S H O W IN DEPTH
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TESTING TRIUMPH. The affirmative action ruling in June placed new weight on standardized testing, leaving students and admissions offices to question how the scores represent themselves and their institutions as a whole.
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WHO SHOULD PAY? The community has differing views who should pay the date bill in a relationship. Age, socioeconomic status, and gender all play a part. Read more in FEATURE.
IN THIS ISSUE:
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RIVALS ON ICE After multiple losses to the Scots in the regular season, Spartan Hockey redeemed themselves in a section quarter-final rematch. Read more in SPORTS.
2-4 - News • 5-7 - Opinion • 8-9 - In Depth • 10 - 11 Feature
• 12-13 - A&E • 14-15 - Sports • 16 - Service