Dangerous Ideas

Judge Robert Freedman just issued a tentative ruling today blocking California’s school exit exam. This exam has been controversial since it was first introduced since the ones least likely to pass it are poor minorities. It’s also questionable wehther the exam is a better test of someone’s knowledge than the other criteria for graduation. This is the first year that passing the test is a requirement for getting a diploma. From the article in the Mercury:

Alameda County Superior Court Judge Robert B. Freedman said he found merit in the plaintiff’s argument that the exam is unfair because not all California public school students have access to the same quality of education. He is expected to issue a final ruling after a hearing today.

“What all this is about is equal education,” said Arturo Gonzalez, lead lawyer for a group of struggling students who sued the state claiming the exam is unfair to those still trying to master English and low-income students attending underfunded schools. “Until you have that, you can’t deprive students like these of the prize of education, the diploma.”

At first glance, the idea of a diploma representing proof of a sound education sounds great. But if the students who are failing the test come from the same schools, generally poorer, and generally are learning English … is it fair to hold back their degrees if they pass based on other criteria? Immigrants will continue to learn English in their new country. Why put an arbitrary deadline on that?

Also, if schools are graduating students that can’t pass the test, is that a fault of the students or the schools? Not everyone is a great independent learner (heck, otherwise why have schools?). If students from a school aren’t doing well, then shouldn’t you try to fix the school rather than penalize the students?

Another question is – if California were to deprive students of their diplomas, how many of them are going to keep going to school until they pass? I don’t think it’s going to be huge incentive for them to go to summer school or repeat the 12th grade. Kids who don’t get a diploma might just end up dropping out. How does that help anyone?

Judge Freedman said he plans to finalize the ruling tomorrow (Thursday, May 9).