Hiss takes part in SAT debate on ‘NewsHour’

The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer on PBS presented a segment about “The Great SAT Debate” on March 29. Bill Hiss ’66, vice president for external and alumni affairs at Bates College, was among the participants, who appeared via satellite uplinks from around the country.

Hiss led Bates’ admissions office as dean from 1978 to 1995 —  before the 1984 decision to make SATs optional at Bates and in the years of assessment since.

The other guests were: Richard Atkinson, president of the University of California System. Atkinson recently dropped a bombshell in academe when he announced that he will recommend dropping the SAT I requirement for the entire UC system.

Gaston Caperton, president of the College Board and former governor of West Virginia. The College Board administers the SAT.

John A. Blackburn, dean of admissions for the University of Virginia, a top public university that requires SATs.