MARK-ALAN WHITTLE
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TEACHERS SHOULD SHAPE UP

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Hamilton Spectator
For teachers who feel insulted over the matter of competency testing, I offer a comparison to my profession.
As a licensed class A automobile mechanic, I'm governed by regulations that guarantee a minimum level of skill. People's lives could be in jeopardy if my skills and workmanship fall below this standard. Heavy fines and a license suspension are the norm, unlike the teachers' profession. Further, my employer is also liable for the repair services I deliver to the public.
Instead of accepting responsibility for these abysmal test results, and assuring the public that they will do better, the teachers assign the blame to others.
Why is it so hard for teachers to pull up their collective socks and get back to delivering core educational services that meet minimum expectations?
I couldn't use the teachers' line of reasoning if I were unable to meet the standards set for my profession; I would simply find myself out of a job. Why should teachers be any different?
Fixing cars isn't the same
I question this letter writer's comparison of his trade as an auto mechanic to the work of a teacher. He has electronic equipment to show him what is wrong. And he can replace parts until the problem is corrected. He also works on one car at a time.
Teachers have 30 to 40 students in a class, all coming from different disciplines. How does one written test address all this?
I am sure that teachers are not afraid of subject tests; but they're a waste of time and resources: I'm sure that two plus two still equals four.

Ward Young, Hamilton.