Gov. Newsom Addresses Debate on Reinstating SAT/ACT for UC Admissions

California Governor Gavin Newsom chose not to give a clear answer on whether he would back the reintroduction of SAT/ACT requirements. His statement comes after over 3,000 University of California (UC) faculty members signed open letters requesting these changes.

During a press event signaling the start of the school year, Newsom addressed the open letter. The letter, released in May, expressed concern about students’ readiness in math. It cited a UC San Diego report showing that roughly one in eight incoming students were below high school math standards. Additionally, one in twelve did not meet middle school standards. These issues arose after the UC Board of Regents decided in 2020 to eliminate SAT and ACT from the admission criteria.

Newsom remarked that “we all have our own perspective” on the necessity of SAT requirements. He stated a preference for more data before making a decision. “I think it’s an important discussion and debate. I’m open to argument, interested in evidence,” he said. Newsom emphasized his interest in seeing more data, expressing that both anecdotal and data-driven evidence should guide decisions.

He confirmed discussions with UC President James B. Milliken and the board on this topic. He is willing to wait for more information before rendering a decision. “The data needs to bear out the ultimate determination on this,” he added.

The University of California declared post-letter that it would embark on a review of its standardized testing policy. UC President Milliken stressed the importance of readiness for college and supported a data-driven review to bolster student preparedness and success.

Adding to the conversation, Berkeley mathematics professor Zvezdelina Stankova expressed concerns that students are unprepared due to “test-blind” policies. In a San Francisco Standard op-ed, she noted that several students are significantly behind in mathematics. Her instruction time is frequently spent on fundamental concepts rather than advanced integrals.

Karajean Hyde, a co-director of the UC Irvine Math Project, argued for objective benchmarks. She told Fox News Digital that there is a need for structured measures to restore academic standards. Objective testing, she believes, is essential for assessing student capabilities.

The debate adds urgency as thousands of UC professors have shown support for reinstating standardized tests. They argue that eliminating such tests has led to a decline in academic preparedness among students.