It's Time To Get Rid Of Proficiency Exams: Part 1

Every now and then, my very small liberal part of my brain escapes and tries to make a point and this is one of those times.
First, I want to start by saying I am not a scholar. I don't have a doctorate in education. I just use the common sense that God has given me and go from there. If you want a scholarly view, go visit a professor at UNLV, UNR or Harvard or an education bureaucrat. If you want a common sense approach, please read on.
Each year, just about every high school student in the Nevada public schools undergo a proficiency exam to determine if they can earn a diploma or not. they have to pass tests in writing, reading, math and science. As a special education teacher of severely disabled students, this really doesn't affect me, but I also have witnessed what has gone on and it really is a big scam and a waste of time and money. And my experience at Wal-Mart also have opened my eyes as well.
Now, I understand the rational for proficiency exams. They want to show the public that a student can read, write, do math and now understand science. OK, I understand that but is it reality?
First, do the exams really determine how smart a person is? Kind of. It tells how good a person is in test taking and how the teachers teach to the test. That's about it.
But my question is this: If you drop proficiency exams, would things change? Well, if you want to go on to college, the students still have to take an ACT and SAT test and along with their GPA, determines if a kid gets into college. So proficiency exams don't factor into a student's ability to get into college.
If you decide you don't go to college, what does proficiency exams show potential employers. well, to start off, to apply for a job at a place like Wal-Mart, you have to go on the computer to apply. Proficiency exams are done with a number 2 pencil and paper. So, no help there.
Employers also look to see if a student has passed high school requirements. A person in a casino really doesn't need to know much about science. An auto mechanic will need math but science? If a potential employer wants find out a person's skills, all they have to s conduct a test on their own.
Also, while working at Wal-Mart, I found a lot of employees there who are high school drop outs. While they had numerous reasons to drop out, the number one reason is that they couldn't pass proficiency exams. These people are not stupid, but for whatever reason, they could not pass the exams. When asked, if there was no exams, would they have stayed in school, the vast majority said yes. So, getting rid of the exams would reduce the drop out rate and in turn, keep the kids off the street and out of trouble. I don't think that can be disputed.
Another reason for getting rid of proficiency is they treat everyone the same. Unless you have severe cognitive disabilities, you have to take the test to get a diploma. Students who have learning disabilities or emotional problems have to take the test. By having a diagnosis of learning disabilities almost automatically guarantees you are not going to pass all the proficiency exams. There is an entertainer on the Strip, Nathan Burton, who tells the story at his shows, that he was in special education classes while in high school. He had learning disabilities. In Nevada, chances are very high he would be able to pass the proficiency exams, but hardly anyone would not say Nathan Burton is not a smart man and not worthy of a high school diploma. The same can be said of hundreds of famous people who have had learning disabilities or other disabilities like ADHD.
So, from the student stand point, proficiency exams really don't benefit the student, a potential college and or a potential employer, but it is a feel good idea for politicians and some school officials.
For part 2, stand by.