The dangerous option of testing out.

Steve Marsh felt reasonably comfortable as the attendant guided the gurney through the double doors of the operating room.

The sedative, given him by the nurse a half-hour earlier, had taken effect. Whatever anxiety he had felt earlier about having his gall bladder removed was assuaged by that little pill and his realization that thousands of gall bladders had been removed by qualified professionals in this hospital over the years without incident.

Steve was gently transitioned from the gurney to the operating table by the attendant and several nurses.

"Welcome Mr. Marsh. The surgeon will be with you in just a minute. I am Dr. Jones, your anesthesiologist. We're going to give you a little something to make you sleep, and when you wake up, everything will be over."

Dr. Jones' reassuring tones were accompanied by a prick of the skin at the top of Steve's hand.

The medication began flowing through Steve's veins. Dr. Smith, the surgeon, emerged quietly and moved to Steve's side. "Hi, Mr. Marsh. How are you feeling?"

Seeking what he thought was unnecessary reassurance, Steve asked, "And how many of these have you done, Doc?" I suppose they put you through the ringer in reed school. You could probably do these operations in your sleep."

A Bit Fuzzy

Steve felt a warm sensation wash over his body as the anesthesia began taking effect. His words started to slur.

"Not to worry, Steve." The surgeon's words were beginning to fade. He engaged Steve and the attendants in general patter while he searched for the point to make the first incision across Steve's abdominal area. The surgeon glanced at one of the nurses and gestured with the scalpel. "About here, would you say?"

"Wrong side," came a response behind the mask of one of the nurses. She guided the surgeon's hand to the proper spot.

Dr. Smith turned his attention back to Steve who, by this time was beginning to get a bit fuzzy. "Not to worry, at all Steve," he repeated. "I've done one of these already, and it turned out reasonably well. Oh, and about med school? I got lucky. Just before I signed up and paid all that tuition, the state passed a law saying that I could 'test out' and get my medical degree and license if I passed. And, wouldn't you know it, there were two questions on the test about gall bladders and I got them both right."

Steve wasn't sure whether the response he heard was real or anesthesia-induced fantasy as he drifted into unconsciousness.

Questionable Decision

I use this medical metaphor to place into perspective the ill-conceived decision by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing in 2002 to offer teachers with minimal teaching experience the chance to test out in the field of educational administration as an alternative to completing a full administrative credentialing program through an accredited college or university.

What was the rationale for such legislation? Officials with the Association of California School Administrators contended the dearth of administrative credential candidates coming from the state's university system would fail to meet the demand posed by growing student enrollment in many communities. A large void created by administrative retirements statewide had to be filled.

Further, some association members also were motivated to permit local school districts the opportunity to expedite the reassignment of teachers, identified as having the dispositions to be successful school leaders, to positions requiring administrative certification.

The basic concept--that passing a written test should qualify an individual to serve as a school leader--sends several unfortunate messages to professional educators and the publics they serve. Foremost, it suggests that education administration is simplistic and one-dimensional, that administrative positions are not all that essential, that formal education and training are not necessary and that most of the knowledge, skills and dispositions for being an effective school leader can be learned on the job.

An Uneasy Public

Such thinking comes at a time when the complex nature of school administration continues to expand and intensify, when effective leadership by trained professionals is essential. The challenges facing public schools today are enormous and parents need the assurance their school leaders have the proper training behind them to direct their staffs through the many demands and expectations.

Principals, superintendents and others in leadership roles must be provided guidance from well-conceived, accredited, administrative credential programs. Testing out of the requisite preparation is offensive to the profession and derogates the status of a complex field requiring rigorous standards of performance.

To my knowledge, the American Medical Association has no plans to offer a testing-out option to certify their physicians because of a need for more doctors in the field. Obviously, patients wouldn't stand for it.

Neither should parents whose children are enrolled in a school led by a principal without academic qualifications. The fact that Steve Marsh's appendix was almost removed instead of his gall bladder is testimony to the consequences of inadequate professional training. And, without question, educational leadership is a profession, too.

Bronte Reynolds, a former superintendent, is an associate professor of educational leadership and policy studies at California State University, 18111 Nordhoff St. Northridge, CA 91330. E-mail: [e-mail]