[Koblenz]

standardized tests are to determine what you know. Granted, they might be able to make the case that the education received by various ethnic groups might be inferior to other groups, but as long as the test is the same test for blacks and whites, and doesn't include things that would be naturally racist (I really can't think of any examples: a math problem is a math problem is a math problem, grammar is grammar, etc), it's hard for the test to be racist.

[FreedomCalls]

"...grammar is grammar, etc), it's hard for the test to be racist."

I think the classic example given is "match the phrase: cup and ______" where the correct answer is "cup and saucer." It is claimed that poor kids don't use saucers with their cups at home since they only have large coffee cups. The poor kids would be more likely to select the incorrect answer "cup and table" since they associated seeing a coffee cup sitting on the breakfast table more than they associated a demitasse or dainty tea cup with a saucer since those are relativly unknown to them.

The argument is that since black kids are more likely to be poor than white ones, the grammar question above can be considered racist.