If this debate were an SAT, Sonja Shaw just got a perfect score

During a debate on September, California superintendent candidate Sonja Shaw criticized her opponent, Richard Barrera, over the decline of basic math and reading scores. Shaw emphasized the need to maintain high standards and highlighted that universities are now seeing underprepared students due to the removal of standardized testing requirements. More than 1,000 University of California professors have called for a return to the SAT because they believe current college entrants lack essential skills, necessitating remedial classes in fundamental subjects like fifth-grade math. In contrast, Barrera, who enjoys support from teachers unions, argued against pointing fingers and suggested that he would focus on building coalitions rather than implementing strict measures. The debate centered around divergent views on education policy with Shaw advocating for a return to standardized testing to address academic decline.