Need extra time on tests? It helps to have cash — says a front page (above the fold!) New York Times story.
It tells the by-now well-known story that rich people’s kids get far more time to take important tests like the SAT and ACT than do poor people’s kids. Not fair. Not right. And yes, it’s concerning. But I believe reports like this one are missing the real story — the story of the lack of transparency by these companies — the Educational Testing Service (ETS) that administers the SAT and ACT, Inc. that administers the ACT — about the fundamental unanswered question.
Why are these tests timed?
How very disappointing that this long above-the-fold feature story does not ask the basic question: Why are these tests timed? Why do these companies continue to “torture” students and their parents? Is there a psychometric reason? Or is it something else?
When will we finally force the ACT and ETS to explain what their tests actually measure.
That is, is timing a fundamental factor (it’s certainly the most challenging for so many of us!)? Is timing part of the psychometrics? That is, are these companies measuring how a student demonstrates what he knows and can do within time constraints? And if so, what do the time constraints add to the measurement goal? Or, as many of us suspect, is timing simply a matter of administrative convenience (e.g., they don’t want to pay for more proctors). Or, is it something else?
We the public have a right to know. Continuing on this path of not knowing is leading us down unfair and unequitable college admissions practices.
Yet, unless and until we demand that these companies take responsibility for their tests and the timing effects on students and parents by becoming transparent and clear — these sad stories will continue to grow. And with that, our faith in the college admission process that includes the SAT and ACT will continue to dissipate.
A sad and totally unnecessary state of affairs — as I see it. It’s more than time for the ETS and ACT to step up.
