One of the reasons I am no longer a member of the American College of Physicians is their resistance over the years to the board recertification process. There has to be some kind of objective measure of a physician's knowledge.

Over 90% of first time takers pass the Internal Medicine Board Exam. The rates are similar for all of the sub specialties. The rates are also similar for recertification. Competence in Internal Medicine is something that should be proven and not simply a function of having gone through the motions of a residency.

Now, it is possible to practice medicine without board certification. However, every physician has to pass the three parts of the United States Medical Licensing Examination. The topics covered in those 3 exams cover what is expected to be learned in medical school and an internship. It is doubtful anybody would ever make an argument against ensuring basic competence in physicians objectively.

Lawyers use the Bar Exam in a state to determine competence. There are hundreds of standardized tests out there which serve to ensure competence.

There are even tests to ensure competence in the basics such as driving. There is be an objective measure that shows competence for most things in life.

The State of Alaska has put accountability into the education system. A student cannot get a high school diploma until they pass an exam showing competence in writing, reading, and math.

State Senator Bettye Davis is attempting to repeal the high school exit exam. This is a step in the wrong direction.

Culture in this country has been moving away from accountability for years. Kids are being taught that it is okay to just go through the motions. If you play, you get a trophy.

The problem not everybody gets a trophy in real life. There are winners and there are losers. You can go through all the motions, give something full effort, and still fall short. Not every person can be a doctor or a lawyer or a professional athlete.

Grades are not completely objective and there is variability across school districts and individual schools. There can be great subjectivity in how teachers hand out grades as well especially in the humanities and social sciences.

Should a high school diploma be a right if you go through the motions? The answer should be no. It is clear graduating high school does not mean what it did 40 years ago but the piece of paper needs to stand for something.

There has to be a way to measure all students to guarantee that the diploma means something. That is the fair way for those that do demonstrate competence. It is the fair way for employers that use the diploma to determine competence.

Teachers complain that they do not want to teach to the exam. This is an empty argument based on what it is on the exam. There should be no high school curriculum that does not prepare a student for the exam.

Arguments have been made and endorsed by the legal system that some under performing schools may not prepare students for then exam. That is also a cop out as the culprit tends to be the students and not the system in an area that causes poor performance.

The whole debate on the opposing side is attempts to blame everybody but the student for exam failures. After all, the student deserves the trophy if they showed up, right?

People can survive without a high school diploma. It is not a right. It is something that should be earned.

This is a rare area in which the trend has been for greater accountability across the country. Alaska should not reverse its part in the trend.