Trust But Verify Learning
Letter to the editor

The letter in the Orange County Register from Mitch Anderson ["Grading the graduates,” Letters, May 16) presents an interesting question. Mr. Anderson opposes the exit exam because only students who fail their classes also fail the test. He wants to rely on teachers to determine if students pass and qualify for graduation.

What happens if teachers lower standards to pass poor students, even illiterate students, so they can clear their classrooms for the next class moving up? He doesn't seem to consider that question. The exit exam was devised to deal with just that scenario. If teachers were not under pressure to move the failing students along by passing them, there would have been no reason for the exit exam.

Ronald Reagan said, "Trust but verify." The exit exam was devised for that purpose. Mr. Anderson prefers "Trust but I don't want to know if they're cheating."

Michael Kennedy, M.D.
Mission Viejo