Military tests in our schools should be optional

However, Fieldcrest was misguided in the way it handled the test according to Mr. Hawk, whose son Steve took the test. When the full dress military recruiter showed up to give the exam at the high school, he told the students that they must sign a "Privacy Act Statement". The test required the students to give their name, address, and other private information. The test itself was given and monitored by the military recruiter. A Fieldcrest teacher was stationed in the classroom during the test but was involved in doing other work.

Mr. Hawk said that the school failed in its responsibilities to the students and the parents. First of all, he said that the school misled the students by implying that the test was mandatory, when in fact, it wasn't. They were not given the option to decline the test. Secondly, he maintained that the school should have notified the parents of the request for the test. The parents are supposed to decide if the test is to be taken by the student since it was not a mandatory test. He said that parents must sign an approval for a student to take a field trip, why not an aptitude test for the military? According to the No Child Left Behind Act, students do not have to provide information or sign a waiver if the parent refuses consent. He said that in this case the parents were not notified in writing or given an option.

Fieldcrest Principal Steve Wallick said that the reason a notice was not sent to the parents is because there is no guarantee that the parent will receive the letter. He said that the students were told to discuss the tests with their parents and if there were any objections by the parents, the student should tell the school that they do not want to take the test.

Mr. Hawk said that his son was never given this information. He said that his son told him the morning of the test that he was taking the test but did not indicate that it was voluntary. In fact, he said that his son asked the teacher right before the test if the test was mandatory.

Mr. Hawk said that our schools are supposed to educate our children, not to brainwash them or provide a training ground for the military. He said taking the test implies that you are patriotic and if you don't take it you are not a good American.

Mr. Hawk concluded that he was not against the test itself. He does feel, however, that the military recruiter mislead counselor Fitzgerald on the purpose and nature of the test and holds her blameless. But he does feel that the school displayed extreme arrogance by failing to tell the students that the test was not mandatory. He said that the school displayed an attitude of "We know what's best for you." They failed to allow the student in conjunction with the parents to make the decision for themselves.

Mr. Wallick said that the test has been around for over 30 years and this is the first time he knew of a parent objecting to the test being given to a student. He said the school's position is that the test is a valuable tool for helping students decide on a career and is looked upon as a positive experience.

This episode is not unique to Fieldcrest. According to a website called American Friends Service Committee, schools all over the country are approached by the military requesting that students be allowed to take the ASVAB test. The website states that the test is slanted toward use for a military career and discriminates against blacks and women. Evidently, other schools have treated the tests as mandatory. Whether this is due to pressure from the military recruiter or due to the schools taking it upon themselves to deem it mandatory is not apparent. Nevertheless, the website warns against militarization of our schools.