South West Illinois News

Illinois state Rep. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) recently voiced her support for Southern Illinois University at Carbondale officials' plans to eliminate standardized test scores from the school's admissions requirements.

“I agree with SIU's recent decision to stop requiring ACT and SAT scores for admission to the university,” Bryant recently posted on Facebook. “Did you know that more than 1,000 universities nationwide have taken this step? Standardized test scores have proved through the years not to be the best indicator of future academic success.”

Starting in the summer of 2021, students with a minimum grade point average of 2.75 that have also fulfilled all course requirements will be admitted to the university, regardless of how well they’ve fared on any standardized exams. According to FairTest, a national organization that advocates for equality in college admissions, standardized tests have proved to favor students from high socioeconomic backgrounds and whose parents have college educations.

Illinois state Rep. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro)

SIU Interim Chancellor John M. Dunn says the new policy is part of the university’s attempt to level the playing field for anyone seeking higher education.

“Our goal is to eliminate as many barriers to a college education as possible,” Dunn told the Daily Eygptian, adding that a test-optional policy will take effect right away and is based on a campus-wide review of students who have been successful at SIU.

According to school officials, students with a GPA below 2.75 will continue to be eligible for admission based on submitted ACT or SAT scores.

“This step will remove a barrier to entry into higher education for both traditional and nontraditional students,” Bryant said in her post.

Now in her fourth year in Springfield, Bryant’s 115th District includes Jefferson, Washington, Perry, Jackson and Union counties.