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Analyzing College Literacy Standards for UNC Athletes: A CNN Report Examination

A CNN report raised concerns about the literacy levels of UNC-Chapel Hill student-athletes, citing that between 8% and 10% of athletes admitted from 2004 to 2012 were reading below a third-grade level. However, data from 2013 shows that all new enrolling student-athletes met the college literacy threshold established by CNN's experts. Despite earlier claims regarding literacy issues, over 97% of enrolled athletes during that same period met the defined threshold. A deeper examination of how admissions standards and comprehensive evaluations are applied sheds light on literacy assessments and college readiness.

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Analyzing College Literacy Standards for UNC Athletes: A CNN Report Examination

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  1. Claims • CNN cited “academic experts” as establishing a “threshold for being college-literate”: 400 on SAT Critical Reading or 400 on SAT Writing or 16 on ACT • CNN claimed that of “183 athletes in revenue-generating sports admitted to UNC between 2004 and 2012” • “Between 8% and 10% [i.e., between 15 and 18] were reading below a third grade level” • “About 60% [i.e., 110] were reading between the fourth and eighth grade reading levels” • Overall: 125-128 students at eighth grade or lower “reading levels” • CNN did not ask UNC-Chapel Hill for SAT or ACT data

  2. Facts—Current State • 2013: all 154 enrolling student-athletes met the threshold for “college literacy” defined by CNN’s experts • 2012: 165 of 167 enrolling student-athletes met the threshold for “college literacy” defined by CNN’s experts • Two who did not were evaluated comprehensively for admission • Both are currently enrolled and in good standing academically

  3. Facts—CNN Time Period • Between 2004 and 2012, UNC-Chapel Hill enrolled 1,377 first-year student-athletes • More than 97 percent (1,338) met the threshold for “college literacy” defined by CNN’s experts • 39 students (2.83 percent) did not meet the threshold; of these 39, • 23 (59 percent) have graduated or remain enrolled and in good academic standing • 11 (28 percent) left academically eligible to return • 34 (87 percent) have graduated, remain enrolled, or left academically eligible to return

  4. Facts—CNN Time Period • Between 2004 and 2012, UNC-Chapel Hill enrolled 341 first-year student-athletes who were recruited for football, men’s basketball, or women’s basketball • More than 90 percent (307) met the threshold for “college literacy” defined by CNN’s experts • 34 students (9.97 percent) did not meet the threshold; of these 34, • 20 (59 percent) have graduated or remain enrolled and in good academic standing • 10 (29 percent) left academically eligible to return • 30 (88 percent) have graduated, remain enrolled, or left academically eligible to return

  5. Summary CNN: 125-128 students at eighth grade or lower “reading levels” UNC-Chapel Hill: 39 students who did not meet the threshold for “college literacy” defined by CNN’s own experts All 39 students—like all candidates for undergraduate admission—were evaluated comprehensively and individually and on the basis of other quantitative and qualitative information besides test scores Both the College Board and ACT discourage schools from using their tests as the sole means of assessment Neither the College Board nor ACT has substantiated a correlation between its test and “grade levels” in reading

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