Should the NCAA utilize standardized tests [i.e. test] scores to determine athletic eligibility?

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if standardized tests are biased and if Academic Advisors would agree that the NCAA should not use standardized test scores as cutoff points for athletic eligibility. The subjects for this study were NCAA Division I Academic Advisors. One hundred sixty two Academic Advisors were randomly selected from the 1995 NCAA Blue Book. The selected sample represented approximately 58 percent of the total population.A survey consisting of 5 sections and 14 questions was utilized as the data-gathering instrument. There were no independent or dependent variables involved with the survey instrument. The purpose of the survey was to obtain the opinions of academic advisors concerning Propositions 48 and 16's effect on minorities, the NCAA's use of standardized tests scores, whether social-economic factors impact on standardized test scores, and the educational system.The survey questionnaire was pre-tested on five academic advisors to insure subjects understood the directions, the questions, and to identify any potential problems (Gay, 1996). Pretest subjects were asked to answer survey questions, make comments and suggestions to help improve the survey instrument if needed (Gay, 1996).The sample population of 162 academic advisors were selected prior to the beginning of the 1998 academic school year. Each subject was mailed a survey and asked to respond within five days after receiving the survey. The first mailing of the surveys were mailed on 1 February 1998. Three weeks later reminders were sent to those subjects who had not responded. After fifteen days and there were no responses to the second mailing, I determined that those academic advisors were not going to respond and proceeded with the investigation.The results indicate that academic advisors agree that standardized tests are biased and that Proposition 48/16 does have an adverse affect on minorities. Forty-nine percent of the polled population agreed that standardized tests are biased. Forty-three percent of the population felt that universities should place less emphasis on standardized tests during the admissions process however, 84 percent of academic advisors believe that universities should not eliminate standardized test score requirements from the admissions process. It was concluded that standardized tests are biased and have an adverse affect on minorities.School of Physical EducationThesis (M.A.