The problem with admitting the top 10% of students to the university

[Trausti]

Er, okay. But you'll not get a more similar environment that a home shared by siblings. And if despite such shared environment siblings don't turn out identical, then that 50% genetic difference is where it's at.

For some reason you seem incapable of grasping the simple concept that genetics most likely determines potential capacity but environment and life greatly influence actual capacity.

There are shared environments and non-shared environments; but genetics predominates. Maybe that's where everyone can agree? Here's an example. Three and four year-old children who attended Head Start enjoyed some benefits from the program. But these benefits are mostly gone by the third grade. Why would that be? Because traits, or your genetic potential, become more heritable as you age.

Head Start Advantages Mostly Gone by 3rd Grade, Study Finds

 

[Trausti]

Er, okay. But you'll not get a more similar environment that a home shared by siblings. And if despite such shared environment siblings don't turn out identical, then that 50% genetic difference is where it's at.

Yes you can. For example if you study first born children they have more in common with each other perfomance wise than they have with their own later-born siblings.

They did all that and much more. Result is, environment has much smaller effect than genes. Environment is overrated.

But there are probably some examples where environment could be a significant factor. Say, if the parents try to raise the child vegan. Very harmful.

 

[barbos]

They did all that and much more. Result is, environment has much smaller effect than genes. Environment is overrated.

But there are probably some examples where environment could be a significant factor. Say, if the parents try to raise the child vegan. Very harmful.

Well, some parents let 3 year olds play with loaded guns and explore AC sockets.
We are talking about more less ordinary parents, some are better and some are worse.

 

[Loren Pechtel]

At least in California (one of the places pulling this 10% crap) your scores don't keep you out of the university, period:

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/07/why-university-california-dropping-sat/619522/

Students reluctant to earn a degree from the “lesser” system may avail themselves of the best deal in American higher education: Earn a 2.4 GPA in the requisite courses at a California Community College, and your ability to transfer to a UC campus is guaranteed. Not a single standardized test need ever be taken.

What a simple approach--show that you can do the coursework, you get in. Period.

 

[Politesse]

At least in California (one of the places pulling this 10% crap) your scores don't keep you out of the university, period:

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/07/why-university-california-dropping-sat/619522/

Students reluctant to earn a degree from the “lesser” system may avail themselves of the best deal in American higher education: Earn a 2.4 GPA in the requisite courses at a California Community College, and your ability to transfer to a UC campus is guaranteed. Not a single standardized test need ever be taken.

What a simple approach--show that you can do the coursework, you get in. Period.

And the results so far have shown that participants in the guaranteed transfer program substantially outperform those who enter the UC as freshman, on the grounds of both success and retention. There are only 6 TAG particiating schools right now, but before the pandemic at least there was talk of negotiating three more (ie all the others that accept undergraduates). This has had the effect of democratizing the UC system as well, as it mitigates some of the artifical barriers that usually inhibit students of color, recruiting from the much more diverse community college system on the basis of accomlishment rather than arbitrary testing regimes cooked up by 20th century eugenicists.

Holy crap is the linked article mostly hogwash, though. These programs aren't in competition, the goal of the entire system is to send as many students onto successful careers as possible, by whatever prudent means can be adopted.