If you can't read at a 10th grade level....sue

This year, about 1,000 high school seniors in AZ will not get a diploma. The reason is because they failed a portion of the standarized test. If you can pass it, you can read, write, and do math at at 10th grade level.

This idea was started back in 1999. They spent about four years, and probably several million dollars to develop the test. They've been using it for a couple years. At first too many were flunking a part of it. So they watered it down to make it easier.

So they make it through to the 12th grade and expected to pass at a 10th grade level. Whatever happened to the practice of holding you back a year if you couldn't pass? Did the lawyers do away with that practice?

They held the tests several times throughout the year. They allowed you to start taking the test in your second year of high school. If you passed then (at the level you're being tested on anyway), you didn't have to worry anymore. If by your last year in high school you were still flunking, they offered tutoring sessions for free (BTW: yesterday the Arizona Republic reported only a small percentage took advantage of). Then you could keep taking it until you passed.

If you had grades with a "C" or higher in related courses, you could increase your test score up to 25%. Next year's graduating class can even apply grades in elective courses such as band or shop to their test score.

Still, 1,000 students couldn't pass all sections.

The purpose of the test was to show employers and colleges that graduating from Arizona meant you did more than just show up to school. That you were proficient in the basic skills to succeed in work or college.

Imagine my surprise when reading an article in today's Arizona Republic:

The goal, he said, is that zero students should fail AIMS. State leaders have taken steps toward that goal by changing test content, passing scores and adding bonus points.

I'm sorry, but if 100% are passing the test, what did we spend all those millions of dollars trying to prove?

While I think it's good to know that you can either demonstrate the basic reading and writing skills for a job, it's also a shame that some are being left behind.

One thing I've learned is simply "tough". There's always people with better skills out there, and you're competing with them for the share of the pie. You need the basic reading, writing, and math skills for a decent job, and if you can't show that you have them then why do you deserve a piece of paper that says you finished 12 years of school?

Arizona is right now in a heap of trouble. The case Flores v. Arizona required the state develop a program for "ELL" (English Language Learnering) students. So far, we haven't been able to come up with an adequate program, and as part of the settlement is paying a daily fine which will go towards funding whatever program they come up with.

But since we don't have an ELL program, the students who speak Spanish felt this test was unfair. Then were told they won't graduate because they don't have the English language skills of a 10th grader. Not their fault because they were taught reading and writing skills to people who speak the language.

So a couple of them are suing claiming that since they weren't provided ELL classes, passing the test shouldn't have been a requirement for them.

Since Arizona lost the Flores case, it's difficult to say if these kids will win or not. But I hate how we're coddling these people. We're expected to provide them with lessons to learn english, then give them a diploma.

Whatever happened to the immigrants that wanted to learn english as quickly as possible to assimilate into the American culture? My paternal grandparents went as far as to change the names of their sons to be "not-Polish" (their name was Michalowski) so that they could seem more American and get better jobs.

To those who failed the test, learn english. Stop whining that you were provided the opportunity in school - there are ways to learn the language IF YOU'RE MOTIVATED TO DO SO. Go to work at Burger King and make me a low carb burger.

Yes, it sounds harsh. But ever since this country started, there's always been those "less fortunate" that have had to work the Burger King jobs. Back then, they never were even offered the opportunity to go to school. Now, the chance for school is taken for granted, and it seems that the students expect the diploma to be taken for granted too.

It's easy for me to say those things - I've been to college, and working in an academic environment. I see how this country is falling behind other countries because today's students demand so much to be given to them. I feel you should earn it - people in competing countries do. To those that think passing a test that expects you to master skills you should have learned two years ago, try taking a final exam in a place like Russia (enough said).

While I tend to think more like a Democrat, the ideal society where everyone has a chance to succeed just won't work. It seems that you need to have that motivation to do well, to make it to the next level. If you don't, and yet expect things like a diploma to be handed to you, we'll fall behind the in rest of the world.

Sorry for the long rant, but I had to get that off my chest.....