Institutionalized Discrimination and the Issue of Test Bias SES

Author(s):

Flaugher, Ronald L.

Publication Year:

1976

Report Number:

RM-76-09

Source:

ETS Research Memorandum

Document Type:

Report

Page Count:

8

Subject/Key Words:

Financial Problems, Minority Groups, Predictive Measurement, Racial Discrimination, Socioeconomic Status (SES), Test Bias

Abstract

Methodology for evaluating test fairness is discussed. It is concluded that 1) there is no differential in predictability of performance for Black American and White American students, 2) minority students are not being denied admission to colleges because of test scores, and 3) the context in which test results are to be used must be considered before fairness or bias can be determined. "Institutional discrimination," not standardized testing, whereby financially poor students are denied access to education because they can't afford it, is identified as the greater barrier to the education of minority students.

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