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The problem is the reality that outcomes on standardized tests show very different distributions for different racial categories [1]. If you focus on the tests,

The problem is the reality that outcomes on standardized tests show very different distributions for different racial categories [1]. If you focus on the tests, you will get strongly undesired outcomes. So the admission process needs to find other methods to identify candidates that are both academically likely to succeed and roughly match the racial distributions of entire population. On a societal level, in my opinion, the right thing to do would be to address the causes of why certain groups have very low scores, ideally in a non-racial way, such a universal pre-K or more funding for math education and lower-performing schools or whatever. But universities have decided that more subjective evaluations are the way forward for their short term needs. [1] https://www.brookings.edu/research/race-gaps-in-sat-scores-highlight-inequality-and-hinder-upward-mobility/ https://www.brookings.edu/research/race-gaps-in-sat-scores-h...

annexrichmond 5y ago
Genuine question because you state this as fact: why does it need to match the racial distribution of the entire population? To me it’s a little presumptuous that there’s an equal demand across racial categories. I’m not saying there shouldn’t be but acting as if that’s the case won’t have achieve the results you want.
- jacobr1 5y ago
  I agree, the argument always seem to be some kind of inductive reasoning stemming from the presumption that unequal representation is not only a bad thing, but causally due to either past or present racist actions. This seems very facile to me, even though there undoubtedly is overlap with the truth. But as to my own view, I remain a meritocrat, despite the the tide that seems to turning against such thinking.
_-david-_ 5y ago
>The problem is the reality that outcomes on standardized tests show very different distributions for different racial categories Perhaps some races generally study more, learned more in school or are just smarter? There was discriminatory immigration rules that causes smarter Asians to be allowed in at higher rates than less intelligent Asians. Hispanics and blacks did not have those rules for various reasons for example. >If you focus on the tests, you will get strongly undesired outcomes. Only if you believe there should be an equal result based on race regardless of scores.

annexrichmond 5y ago

Genuine question because you state this as fact: why does it need to match the racial distribution of the entire population? To me it’s a little presumptuous that there’s an equal demand across racial categories. I’m not saying there shouldn’t be but acting as if that’s the case won’t have achieve the results you want.

jacobr1 5y ago
I agree, the argument always seem to be some kind of inductive reasoning stemming from the presumption that unequal representation is not only a bad thing, but causally due to either past or present racist actions. This seems very facile to me, even though there undoubtedly is overlap with the truth. But as to my own view, I remain a meritocrat, despite the the tide that seems to turning against such thinking.

_-david-_ 5y ago

>The problem is the reality that outcomes on standardized tests show very different distributions for different racial categories Perhaps some races generally study more, learned more in school or are just smarter? There was discriminatory immigration rules that causes smarter Asians to be allowed in at higher rates than less intelligent Asians. Hispanics and blacks did not have those rules for various reasons for example. >If you focus on the tests, you will get strongly undesired outcomes. Only if you believe there should be an equal result based on race regardless of scores.