FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NOV.

21, 2015

Crystal Brown
Chief Communication Officer
Office of University Relations
301-405-4618
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
CONTACT:
Kayla Schorr
PR Representative
609-519-7237
kaylajschorr@gmail.com

SEO: University professor Hanson releases book

Professor Hanson releases book about American testing
Anthropology professor discusses American societys addiction to tests
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - A young kindergartener wakes up late for school one morning.
His mother rushes him into the car, since she is late for work. He sinks tiredly into his car
seat as his stomach grumbles from not eating breakfast. He gets to school with just a
minute to spare, only to realize that today is aptitude testing day. He knows that if he does
well, he gets to upgrade to a special class, but if he does not, he must be held back from
the opportunity.
University anthropology professor F. Alan Hanson recently wrote a book entitled,
Testing Testing: Social Consequences of the Examined Life. In his work, Hanson
uncovers the disadvantages of testing across many fields, such as business and education.
He recommends eliminating most drug tests, aptitude tests, and lie detector and integrity
tests.
Hanson argues that IQ and aptitude test scores can end up being life sentences.
Children take these tests that instantly assign them to a category: slow learner, average,
genius, etc. If a child performs unexpectedly out-of-the-ordinary, this could affect the
entire rest of his or her life.
(more)

K. Schorr, W/R #14, TA #2, News Feature Release, p.2

People are examined and evaluated less for qualifications or knowledge they
already possess than for what the test results can predict about future actions or potential
behavior, Hanson said.
How to proceed
Hanson believes that test-givers should eliminate much of the testing used to
predict behavior and attitudes. He says that across the country, some college admissions
offices no longer require scores from aptitude tests such as the ACT, SAT or GMAT as an
application requirement. Although he does not support aptitude tests for students, Hanson
sees merit in tests that measure performance, such as what a student has learned in class.
In addition to scrutinizing aptitude tests, Hanson also rejects the use of integrity
and drugs tests. He believe integrity tests frequently warrant incorrect results, while drug
tests are often unnecessary, unless someone suspects a persons drug abuse.
Hansons book is available at local bookstores or by contacting Denise Cicourel at
UC Press, 2120 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA 94720.
For more information, visit the www.ucpress.edu or follow UC Press on
Twitter at @UCPress.

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