{"id":1614,"date":"2021-10-29T14:52:43","date_gmt":"2021-10-29T18:52:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/?p=1614"},"modified":"2022-07-06T09:05:08","modified_gmt":"2022-07-06T13:05:08","slug":"as-colleges-drop-sat-act-requirements-more-states-are-requiring-them-for-high-schoolers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/news-blog\/as-colleges-drop-sat-act-requirements-more-states-are-requiring-them-for-high-schoolers\/","title":{"rendered":"As Colleges Drop SAT\/ACT Requirements, More States are Requiring Them for High Schoolers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Out of over 2,300 total schools in the United States that offer Bachelor\u2019s degrees, more than half (1,240) have said that they will no longer require any students to submit their ACT or SAT scores in order to apply for admission in fall of 2021. This comes from a report<\/a> provided by the National Center for Fair & Open Testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the beginning of 2020, this number was 200 universities fewer\u2014 pointing to the sweeping wave of public sentiment leading to the optional status of these long-required tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, while the majority of universities are no longer requiring ACT or SAT scores for student admissions, that doesn\u2019t mean all students are off the hook. At the same time that this optional status is being applied at the college level, some states are introducing requirements for students to take ACTs or SATs in order to graduate. This has created a unique situation where high schools require a college readiness test that the colleges themselves don\u2019t even require.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While this may seem to put educators and students in a tough spot, we\u2019re here to help dig through the facts about SAT and ACT requirements at the high school level\u2014 and help you ensure that students are ready for whatever is required of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why U.S. Colleges Have Dropped ACT\/SAT Requirements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First, why the sudden drop in colleges requiring SAT or ACT scores for admission?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s easy to point to the COVID-19 pandemic and its related shutdowns which made taking the tests in-person all but impossible. In fact, it\u2019s estimated that the pandemic stopped at least 1 million SAT test-takers in the class of 2021 from being able to complete their exams\u2014 and the real number is likely far higher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, while COVID-19 may have poured gasoline on the fire that\u2019s burning down SAT and ACT requirements, the trend actually started earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For some time, it\u2019s been reported that requiring SAT and ACTs leads to increased disparities in educational access along racial and ethnic lines, causing minorities and marginalized groups to face even more obstacles when pursuing their education and futures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, research seems to suggest that ACTs and SATs are not always the strongest indicator of career success, or even success at the secondary education level. The result? More and more colleges are phasing them out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevada Implements ACT Reuirement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

And yet, high schools have not all followed suit. In fact, some are moving in the other direction. Nevada is one example, with their state education governing body deciding that ACTs will be required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s the official website<\/a> of the State of Nevada Department of Education:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To be eligible for graduation, all students, free of charge, must participate in Nevada\u2019s College and Career Readiness (CCR) assessment during their junior year of high school on the day selected for testing. The State Board of Education chose the ACT as Nevada\u2019s CCR assessment. A student\u2019s ACT score will not be used to determine graduation eligibility, but can be submitted with college applications. The ACT is a nationally recognized college admissions exam that is accepted by all four-year colleges and universities in the United States.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indiana Requires SAT for Graduation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, Indiana has done the same<\/a>\u2014 though they\u2019ve chosen the SAT over the ACT. The requirement will go in effect for juniors in the class of 2023 this coming fall. Under Indiana\u2019s new framework, the state will meet federal accountability requirements through the SAT, chosen specifically because it is generally used as a boon for college admissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other States Requiring SAT or ACT for Graduation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

States like Nevada and Indiana aren\u2019t alone. Several other states require either the SAT or ACT be completed by students to graduate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

States Requiring SAT for Graduation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n