The requirement of higher scores on standardized tests for admission to colleges and universities and to teacher education programs discriminates against Blacks, who have less advantaged backgrounds than Whites. This requirement and poor Black performance on the Florida Teacher Certification Examination may diminish the pool of Black teachers in…

In 1978, Florida was sued by 11 Black students on the grounds that its functional literacy requirement violated due process. This article summarizes the arguments in the case. The initial decision to retain the test after a four-year delay was appealed, but was subsequently upheld by the State's Appeals Court. (CJM)