[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 29 (Tuesday, February 14, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E344]]
      TESTS BIAS AND RACISM AT OUR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING

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                          HON. CARDISS COLLINS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 14, 1995
  Mrs. COLLINS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I think it is absolutely 
appalling, irresponsible, and downright unethical, for a college or 
university president to say low-test scores of African-American 
students are linked to their genetic, hereditary background.
  I am referring to the insensitive remarks made by Rutgers University 
president, Francis L. Lawrence, that precipitated a recent act of civil 
disobedience by many of Rutger's African-American students during a 
basketball game.
  It is outrageous to even suggest that academically qualified students 
should be denied access and an opportunity for higher education based 
solely upon culturally biased standardized tests such as the Scholastic 
Assessment Test [SAT].
  Scientific analyses demonstrates that there is test bias in both the 
SAT and the ACT [American College Test]. Even the SAT test makers, the 
Educational Testing Service, warns about the misuse of the SAT.
  Mr. Speaker, exclusionary policies, based on racist beliefs, will 
only further contribute to the widening social and economic 
inequalities that have characterized American society in recent 
decades.
  Many of the excluded students will be minorities from economically 
disadvantaged backgrounds who remain disproportionately 
underrepresented in the Nation's colleges and universities.
  In 1991, as chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, 
Consumer Protection, and Competitiveness, I began a series of 
investigative hearings into intercollegiate athletics and the National 
Collegiate Athletic Association [NCAA]. A major focus of my 
investigations revealed the NCAA's misuse of standardized tests which 
continues to result in a gross disproportionate negative impact on 
minority student-athletes.
  Mr. Speaker, at a time we are trying to increase the earning 
potential of our youngsters, inflammatory and misinformed statements 
suggesting that African-Americans, or any group of people, are 
genetically inferior, cannot and will not be tolerated.
  Denying students access to institutions of higher education based on 
artificial barriers has a direct long-term economic impact. Given the 
large and rising earnings associated with obtaining a 4-year degree, 
the personal economic costs associated with being denied an opportunity 
to obtain a 4-year degree are quite substantial--$400,000-$500,000--
even for those graduates with modest academic skills.
  I applaud the African-American students at Rutgers for not taking 
this insult to their intelligence sitting down.


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