I think we need to take a closer look at certification testing in America. Let’s examine:
1. To become a lawyer, you have to take the LSAT to get into law school, then take the Bar which has a greater than 50% failure rate.
2. To become an accountant, you have to take a test that has an 85% failure rate.
3. To become a teacher in New York, you have to take 3 different certification tests over a series of months.
4. To become a nurse you have to take one certification test.
Does anyone else see the problem with this? Why is it more difficult to become a teacher or accountant than it is to be a doctor or nurse? Shouldn’t we have higher standards for people who have the potential to kill other humans? Isn’t that a bit more tricksy than teaching a kid to read? Aparenlty not. Something to ponder.
This question has been floating in my head because today Maren is taking 2 of her three certifications tests today to become certified to teach in New York. It’s like the ACT times 2. She will be taking tests from 7am – 4pm with a one hour break. This will likely not be as fun for her as it was when Zak and I took the ACT together every three months for a year. We drove together and positioned ourselves in line so we’d be in the same room. In fact, more than once we got to sit next to one another for the test. Sadly, I did not take advantage of my placement next to the math teachers son and cheat off of him on the math section as I ought. Stupid math section! Stupid math!
