"In 2021, the Colorado state legislature considered a bill that would allow--instead of require--public institutions of higher education to use standardized test scores in their admissions criteria. MSU Denver supported the bill, making a data-based case for excluding the ACT and SAT. An analysis of university data showed high school GPA to be a better predictor of student retention rates than test scores. Many of the first-generation and low-income students who MSU Denver serves struggle on standardized tests but thrive in college with support from the university's robust support services.
To help make the case, RED, MSU Denver's online newsroom, reported on the data and interviewed university administrators and students who were very successful college students, despite low test scores. The story helped inspire news coverage of the issue and was used by university leadership to make the case directly to legislators. Ultimately, the bill passed.
Matt Watson's RED story, "Passing on standardized tests," is a well-crafted piece of journalism that humanizes this issue with compelling personal stories and backs up those stories with solid data. The words are supported by engaging photographs and a useful, interactive infographic."
From the Judges
Well-written piece that uses the voices of those impacted by the issue effectively. It was interesting to see who the audience was and how it worked to gain their focus on the issue. This is an important issue that affects many people.
