Test score discrimination

Mandatory testing tied to diplomas again raises its ugly head with too many students failing to pass the biology test. There are those who tests as a graduation requirement, saying it discriminates against some students, while others maintain testing holds schools, teachers and students accountable.

I maintain there is a middle ground: the differentiated diploma.

The high school diploma is a passport to college, military service and many employment opportunities. To deny a diploma based on a single test score is discriminatory for student with certain testing, learning styles, disabilities and cultural characteristics. I have given individual tests to hundreds of students who have demonstrated knowledge beyond that of the state test. Many students have test phobia or lack the test taking skills necessary for a time-limited test.

In a differentiated diploma, those students who pass the English, math or science test will have that noted on the diploma - “demonstrated mastery in …” If a student fulfills all of the other graduation requirements but not the test; they would get a diploma with no notation of mastery.

Les Francis, Ph.D.

Spokane Valley