Last week, high schools spent three days testing California's sophomores and juniors to see if they are entitled to receive a diploma. Any students who cannot successfully pass both the mathematics and the language arts portions of the High School Exit Exam before graduation will be denied a diploma, thereby certifying them -- for life -- as incompetent and illiterate, and essentially losers. Currently, 52 percent of next year's potential graduates -- the first class required to meet this new standard -- have failed, according to news reports.
This exit exam, by the way, followed six days of the California Standards Tests, making nine days almost useless for actually teaching anything new. Our students, somewhat spent after six two-to three-hour sessions of high-stakes testing and answer-sheet bubbling, then were under intense, unnerving pressure to produce for the exit exam -- or else.

While it's true these students will have more chances to pass the test, many suffer from learning disorders, lack adequate command of English and, yes, may be unmotivated or underprepared by a school system that seems to have no answers for poverty, family fragmentation, chronic truancy and a host of other problems. And some may even be victims of a very small percentage of our schools and teachers who are just not doing their jobs.

But most are kids just as we all once were. Although the algebra section is supposedly pitched at an eighth-grade level, we can all remember struggling with concepts such as factorization and quadratics and rational expressions, and get those sweaty palms all over again at the memory. Should those who cannot solve equations all be branded as failures at the very beginning of their adult lives?

Maybe it is necessary to take harsh measures to raise student achievement. But if so, let's add one more group to be tested: our state lawmakers, the very people who implemented this testing regime, and who now point accusing fingers at our schools as we separate the wheat from the chaff. I figure we could use a little separating at the top, as well.

I propose that all of our legislators, as well as our governor, his staff and the folks in charge of the Department of Education, be required to take the same tests, with a fitting consequence imposed on those who fail: Resign their posts and renounce their high school diplomas. Oh -- and publish the results prominently so that all may judge their efforts.

I suspect most would pass the language portion, but not the algebraic hurdle. Simplified any radicals lately? Then let's find out if this exit exam censure is as suitable for the privileged as for the populace at large.

This leveling would have at least three powerful effects:

* It would remove incompetent lawmakers.

* It would allow our mighty solons to experience the gut-wrenching fear and anxiety that we are now visiting upon the state's vulnerable youth.

* It might open some eyes to the injustice, bordering on abuse, we are inflicting upon our children, and possibly lead to more humane and nurturing ways to improve their education. We could use the tests as an enhancement to their diplomas, required, perhaps, for admission into state colleges and universities. Or we could reinvigorate our vanishing vocational programs, to provide our students access to skills that would improve both their own lives and the future functioning of our society.

It is a travesty to use a single test to negate 12 years of attendance, completion of all required courses and cooperation with the rules and authorities of our educational communities. Our children deserve better.