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H 1458

An Act relative to admissions requirements to institutions of higher education

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Adam Scanlon

The bill directs the Department of Higher Education to review whether standardized tests should be used for Massachusetts public colleges’ admissions, assessing impact on diversity

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 1458

Summary of H.1458: An Act relative to admissions requirements to institutions of higher education

Overview

H.1458, introduced February 27, 2025 by Representative Adam J. Scanlon, would require the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education to conduct a comprehensive review of the use of standardized college entrance tests (SAT/ACT) in admissions to undergraduate programs at public higher education institutions in Massachusetts. The bill emphasizes evaluating current practices, trends in other states, impact on student success and diversity, and issues of test validity and bias. A report and related materials would be shared with key legislative committees.

What the bill would do

  • Direct the Department of Higher Education (DHE) to review the practice of requiring applicants to take a standardized college entrance aptitude test for admission to undergraduate programs at public institutions.
  • Analyze:
    • How many MA public institutions require, make optional, or do not permit standardized tests.
    • Trends in other states regarding test requirements.
    • The number of states with no requirement or no permission by law/regulation, and their experiences.
    • The impact on student success and achievement when tests are not required or are not used.
    • Whether SAT/ACT scores accurately and reliably measure relevant skills, knowledge, and readiness.
    • Evidence of bias in the tests.
    • The impact of standardized tests on student diversity (racial, ethnic, income/wealth, immigrant status, first-generation status) and other factors determined by DHE.
  • Require consultation with a broad set of stakeholders, including:
    • Leaders of secondary and public higher education institutions
    • Students and academic experts in admission criteria and testing
    • Organizations concerned about standardized admissions testing
    • Organizations representing people of color, immigrants, low-income individuals, and others as identified by DHE
  • Mandate publication of the review on the DHE website and submission of findings to the chairs of the Joint Committee on Higher Education, the Joint Committee on Education, and the Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion no later than one year after the act’s effective date.

Key provisions and details

  • The review scope is broad, covering current practice, cross-state comparisons, test validity and bias, and equity impacts.
  • Stakeholder engagement is specified to ensure diverse perspectives are considered.
  • Deliverables include a publicly accessible report and a formal submission to three joint committees.

Who is affected

  • Public institutions of higher education in Massachusetts (in terms of admissions policies and practices)
  • Prospective and current students (impact on admissions criteria and potential shifts away from standardized testing)
  • Stakeholders in higher education governance and policy discussions (through the review and reporting process)

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Referred to Higher Education (Initial committee action)
  • Hearing scheduled for May 5, 2025 (as part of committee process)
  • Bill reported favorably by a committee and referred to House Ways and Means on August 28, 2025
  • The act requires the DHE to complete and publish the review within one year after the act’s effective date

Related notes

  • Related bill: HD 151 (replaces)
  • This measure focuses on evaluating admissions testing rather than immediate policy change; findings could inform future legislative or administrative decisions regarding admissions requirements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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