The SAT Debate
I am stunned but not surprised at a recent proposal of Richard Atkinson, president of the University of California system, to eliminate the use of SAT test scores as part of the UC’s admission process. He has deemed the SAT to damage self-esteem and prevent the UC system from being racially diverse. This mirrors much of the gobbledygook which has led to many failed academic reforms in public schools.
Atkinson instead would use grade point averages, despite high schools varying in academic rigor. He believes them to be a better predictor of success. However, the College Board, which oversees the SAT, has compiled reams of data which conclude the very opposite.
The SAT serves not only colleges or universities in their assessment of students, but it also enables students to select a school that matches their academic ability. Students blindly led into an academic environment beyond their ability are more likely to drop out.
Regrettably, this is just another case of an education leader wanting equal outcome instead of equal opportunity. Sadly, virtually every Democrat member of the Assembly has signed a letter praising Atkinson on his vision.
Ken Maddox
Assemblyman, 68th District
Garden Grove
Light Rail, Cont’d
The Feb. 26 Executive Summary had an item that read, “The OC Building Industry Association said it opposes the proposed CenterLine light-rail project for OC.” I respectfully request that the record be corrected.
BIA/OC neither supports nor opposes the Centerline project. As we frequently do in matters of public concern, we submitted a comment letter to OCTA that expressed the findings of our thorough analysis of the environmental documentation of the CenterLine project. We shared the results of our technical analysis with OCTA in an effort to make CenterLine, if it does move forward, a better project.
It is our position that no transit system should be constructed without the consensus of affected cities, that street traffic capacity should not be sacrificed for a transit system, and that the system should not rely on funds that would otherwise be spent on street and highway improvements.
Speaking on behalf of the more than 1,000 members of BIA/OC, who have enjoyed serving as community partners with OCTA and look forward to working with them to seek long-term transportation solutions for Orange County, we encourage the OCTA to continue in its examination of the transit system required by Measure “M”.
Christine Diemer Iger
Chief Executive Officer
Building Industry Association of Southern California, Orange County Chapter
Good Letters
Congratulations on your Feb. 26 Letters. Michael Glueck’s letter on the networks’ botching of the presidential-winner call hits the nail on the head, and Jerry Taylor really nails it with his blast on Gov. Davis and the idiocy of the state getting into the power business.
Frank Callaghan
Yorba Linda
