Readers React: Without the exit exam, how do we test students?

To the editor: Michael Mahoney, an educator, states that the California high school exit exam was a “ lame test,” yet he mentions that other countries have rigorous equivalents that their students have to pass. We have such low standards for our kids that there is no way for them to compete internationally or even against most American students. (“Goodbye and good riddance to California’s high school exit exam,” Op-Ed, Oct. 15)

Unfortunately, life is full of tests, including milestone ones such as driver license exams, professional exams (didn’t Mahoney have to take tests to get his teaching credential?) and even the U.S. citizenship test. Tests do matter.

How else do people prove what they should have learned?

Carolyn Busch, Glendora

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To the editor: Isn’t it clear by now that the greatest factors in student success through high school are parent involvement and student motivation? Anything else — tests, iPads, charter versus public schools — is a small perturbation.

What gets a student motivated? Involved parents who spend time with their kids on school work, great teachers and something deep inside a student that drives her or him to want to achieve.

Michael Bertin, Irvine

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