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Oregon State is considering going test-optional


It was funny when I arrived here: People just assumed, based on my background and professional experience, that one of the first things I was going to do was to make Oregon State University test-optional in admissions.


University policies aren't changed overnight.  They're often not even changed overyear (if that's not a word, it should be, at least when you're talking about universities).  We're far more intentional, and shared governance means people and committees (mostly committees) deliberate, debate and discuss things in order to make sure everyone affected will get consulted.

So even I'm surprised.

But on Friday, an email went out to the university community (below) indicating that our Board of Trustees--and then, we hope, our Faculty Senate--will consider making standardized tests optional for freshman applying for admission for Fall, 2021 and beyond.



If you work in higher ed or secondary ed, you know all the reasons for this.  If you don't, you know all the things the testing agencies tell you about why you need to help them protect their business interests.

But we would like to hear your thoughts: A lot of people speaking up would be helpful as we ponder this big policy shift.  Send me an email to jon.boeckenstedt@oregonstate.edu or leave a comment below.

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