UW-La Crosse chancellor skeptical of new SAT ‘adversity score’

The group that oversees the SAT test which is taken in part to attend colleges throughout the country, will be adding a new portion of the test.

It’s called the ‘adversity score’, which will examine the student’s history and socioeconomic circumstance.

Some in the educational community like UW-La Crosse’s Chancellor are skeptical

“I think it’s important to look at the background and where students come from,” Joe Gow says. “As far as how you quantify that, that seems to be a challenge.”

UW-La Crosse admissions factor in the ACT more than the SAT, and Gow adds that there are other ways to find out if a student overcame barriers.

“We want to see, if they write an essay about those sorts of things,” Gow says. “Or do they come from a high school that is underfunded. We look at every applicant thoroughly.”

The College Board is defending its decision, calling it a way for administrators to view a student’s accomplishments in context of where and how they live.