Conclusion
Essentially, the issue of test bias is centered around American society's notion of equal opportunity. Poor scores on standardized tests hinder one's chances of success in the worlds of academia and business. A concern of many is that blacks' chances for success are particularly impeded by their test results. Blacks were imported to the United States as slaves, and valued only as material possessions. While much has changed in the past hundred years, blacks continue to struggle for equality within our "white" society. We, as a nation, have a moral and civic responsibility to provide equality of opportunity for all citizens. However, is it possible to achieve equality without compromising the true aim of the tests- to measure likelihood of achievement?
Although discrepancies exist between the test scores of different races, the tests seem to be the best available predictors of future academic success. Thus, a change within the current testing regime appears both undesirable and unlikely. Hence, solutions to the racial inequalities perpetuated by the tests must come from outside the testing regime (as discussed in Government Policies Aimed At Social Racism).
There are programs that can be used to increase the test scores of minorities. For example, the Accelerated School in South Central Los Angeles provides an alternative education for those minority students placed into the lower tracks in public schools. This school is effective in that it led to an increase in its students' test scores. However, is this "equality" if we are providing special treatment for these students? Yet, perhaps special measures are necessary to offset the inherent racism within our society.
As suggested in The Bell Curve, current standardized tests accurately predict future success. If Herrnstein and Murray are correct (and the data seems to support them), then the tests do accomplish their primary objective towards education. Consequently, they are at a clear disadvantage in the race for academic and economic achievement. Unfortunately, current policies such as Affirmative Action seem to ignore this crisis. It is important to note, however, that minorities disproportionately belong to a low socio-economic class.
So, what can be done? How can we incorporate minorities into mainstream American culture? The ancestors of most African-Americans have been on American soil far longer than many of those of European descent who have been successfully assimilated into society. Why have, for example, Irish people been accepted as more "American" than blacks and other minorities? Is it the difference in skin color that prevents African-Americans from gaining equal status? The racism that plagues American society is the cause of racial inequalities, not necessarily "biased" standardized tests. Affirmative Action and other similar policy programs may attempt to put a "band-aid" on the problems caused by racism. However, until society ceases to view people by the color of their skin, no government initiative will rectify these problems.
Government 375: Educational Reform and Ideology