If you don’t think the rankings game was competitive, then take a
look at this latest stunt from Baylor University: the school newspaper reported
this year’s freshman class was offered a $300 credit at the bookstore
for retaking the SAT, and those who increased their score by 50 points
earned themselves a $1,000 “scholarship”. To most, this looks like an
attempt to raise the university’s average SAT score, in hopes of
improving its position in the U.S. News & World Report’s college
rankings. Instead, the scheme prompted criticism from the faculty and damaged the school’s reputation.
Baylor cancelled the financial incentives
after a wave of criticism from other academic institutions. But the
school’s efforts raises important questions about college admissions
and standardized tests:
- Does the SAT really measure aptitude? (After a quarter of the
Baylor freshman retook the test, the class’ average score rose by 10
points. Does this mean the students have become better students than
before, or have they just gotten better at test-taking?)
- What are the pros and cons of using the SAT as a standard for comparing applicants?
- Should universities make it a priority to improve their ranking?
- Should students decide where they go to school based on rankings?
And besides the fact that taking the SAT serves no purpose after a
student’s already been admitted, Baylor’s overemphasis on test scores
diverts attention from the academic issues that really matter (class
size, student preparedness, etc.)
Chime in with a comment on what you think about Baylor offering financial rewards for SAT retakes.