California superintendent candidates clash over math teaching and test standards

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 8 Oct, 21:37 · Archive

California superintendent candidates disagreed on whether universities should require standardized tests and who bears responsibility for teaching basic mathematics.

California's superintendent candidates clashed over standardized testing and college readiness during their debate. Richard Barrera rejected calls to reinstate the SAT for the University of California system, saying such tests do not improve maths instruction and only exclude students. He argued that some incoming students simply need review in subjects they had not studied recently, and that concerns about students unable to perform basic maths were "completely overstated".

Sonja Shaw, currently president of the Chino Valley Unified School District, countered that California must "stop lowering the bar" and called the situation a mental health crisis. She cited professors raising alarms about students entering elite universities without foundational maths and reading skills. Last year, more than 800 UC professors and STEM department chairs signed an open letter calling for the SAT and ACT to be reinstated to identify preparation gaps before students enter college.

Barrera, president of the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education, argued that the SAT "doesn't do anything to improve maths instruction". The University of California stopped using the SAT in admissions in 2020, with California State University following in 2022, amid equity concerns and a shift toward test-optional admissions policies.

How it is being reported

• California superintendent candidate calls for return of standardized testing as basic math and reading scores sink: ‘Stop lowering the bar’State test results show most students remain below proficiency, while UC faculty push for SAT/ACT testing.New York Post · 8 Oct, 21:21
• California education candidate tells college professors to teach students basic math, rejects SAT requirementRichard Barrera told UC professors it's their job to teach students who arrive without basic math skills, drawing sharp criticism from California superintendent opponent Sonja Shaw.Fox News · 7 Oct, 20:44

In this story: Richard Barrera · Sonja Shaw · University of California · California State University · California · San Diego Unified School District

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