I hold a true respect for professionals that have successfully graduated from engineering programs in accredited universities around the world, and even more for those that have passed the Professional Engineering examinations. I was tipped off to an article in the NSPE blog titled “FE Exam Results Should Be Public Information” by James Wedding.
The Article
The nuts and bolts of this article state that while the results of the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination issued by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) are sent out to various universities and state licensing boards as needed, the rest of the world remains hands off to this information.
The article moves forward to discuss the pros and cons of the current nature of this situation, and the merits of publicizing the information, especially since most of these universities are funded with the public’s money, making their information public.
Just because you can doesn’t mean you should…Chris Rock
There is a line, such as student billing information, which is secured and private. Just because it happens at a public university, does not give the public, or decision makers the RIGHT to publicize it.
Here’s why it’s not so transparent
I offer you a few examples of people and situations that I am familiar with, that I hope will offer clarity, and help others make a valid, CONCERNED decision:
Case 1 – I knew a guy once who could pass a test, written or board, with ease. The fellow was a mid ranking USAF NCO, and was moving rank well since all the performances were measured by written test. The problem was the guy was inept. Everyone knew it, but without justifiable administrative punishment, there was nothing to stop him from ascending, and enlarging the reach of his ineptitude. He’s probably a General now and would love to have his test scores publicized.
Case 2 – I knew a fellow that was absolutely brilliant with IT. It showed in his tests, and performance. He, however, only cared about money and prestige, swapping jobs at the drop of a hat when the offer became sufficient enough to draw him away. No one knows his ethics because initially they only cared about his brilliance. I don’t know if it has caught up with him yet. I suspect the mass majority of people only out for themselves mask his lack of sincerity. I bet he’s also love to have his test scores publicized.
Case 3 – I know this chick that is smart. I mean too smart to mention publicly.Her work ethic, social ethic, study ethic are all unparalleled. With one exception, she has aced every test and class she has taken at her university, including stuff she absolutely hates. She’s in it to win it, and she doesn’t understand those that don’t care about fully understanding the information they are studying. She’d probably be proud to have her test scores published.
Case 4 – There is this professor, who by reputation is one of the three finest, most respected forensic anthropologists in the USA. (I know…Bones, right. Well she’s the real Bones) Her talents and skill take from federal investigations to books to teaching regularly…. and she knows her reputation, and guards it well. She is notoriously heartless when it comes to the curriculum and ethics of her students. She grades according to the content of the section of study, and not according to what she taught. When her student receives an A, it means that student demonstrates and complete and unfathomable understanding of the topic. If they did not perform perfectly, then they don’t deserve an A. She insists that average people deserve a ‘C’, something for which she holds no respect. It is said that no one is perfect, and no one gets an A in her class… No one. (I like this lady more and more, even if she makes people cry).
The people in case 1 and case 2 have exceptional scores, and their work records are unblemished. However, you would not want either of these people running any portion of your team.
The students in the class of case 4 do not emerge with an A, and better than average students only appear lackluster under her supervision. It is not reasonable to expect anyone else to truly understand the nature of this, and as a result will clearly skew the perception of a potentially good candidate.
The Case Where it Should Work
I mentioned case 3, simply because to be fair, that person is a good example of why the NSPE would like to publish test scores. That person fits the upper end of this mold well, and deserves to have recognition for all the hard work that they put into their degrees.
Thoughts
I regard people’s activities with utter privacy. It’s none of my business unless they intentionally make it so. If I see it, I don’t repeat it because it’s none of anyone else’s business either.
I think that people have a right to make mistakes, and a right to rise above their failures. Doing poorly on some exam, and then rising above it is part of life, and winning. Test scores are not the only thing that makes a person respected and useful. I believe that this measure will punish people for mistakes they have made, to the point where it is unreasonably difficult (or nearly impossible) to grow beyond them.
I offer you one of the quotes that I teach about human nature to anyone who will listen:
“once in the mind of the jury, always in the mind of the jury”
Perhaps it is best to do this, and really push students to dig in, where they were once permitted to just slide by. I know I am not perfect by any means, but think that I’d be ok with my scores published, simply because I when I work hard to learn and understand something, it shows.
Unfortunately, publishing test scores will only benefit half the students and half the perspective employers. Many good students will be overlooked, and many companies will receive people with crappy ethics and a complete lack of wisdom. These results are no different than what we have now. The only difference is now, with the scores private, people still have a decent chance to better themselves and rise above their failures.
Tell us your opinion !
