Don't experiment with rakes

It is necessary to create a state commission to analyze the USE and develop new rules for the final exam in 2014

It is necessary to create a state commission to analyze the USE and develop new rules for the final exam in 2014

This note is a reaction to Yulia Latynina's article "Dmitry Livanov is being passed along with the Unified State Examination", published on May 31 in Novaya Gazeta. The article, written with passion and Bolshevik directness, is built on the author's complete conviction in the possession of absolute truth. But if there is no limit to the applicability of the key author's assumptions, the consequence noticed by Tyutchev is inevitable: "A thought uttered is a lie." In other words, the meanings captured in the text are far removed from reality.

There are many such examples in the article. It is true that Minister Livanov has made powerful enemies among fake "doctors" and "candidates." But it is also true that there are no signs of a serious and consistent struggle for the purity of scientific series. Well, the opinion that the USE scandals are the result of a large-scale sabotage against a progressive minister is a manifestation of unbridled fantasy.

The overall assessment of reforms in education is also overly optimistic. And the point of view of Y. Latynina, who believes that criticism of the reform is an "educational mafia" and "parasitic structures", does not require commentary.

For a detailed analysis of numerous dashing passages, it would be necessary to write a kind of "Anti-Yuling". There is neither time nor desire for this. But one thesis needs to be discussed. It is formulated in the first sentence: "I'll tell you straight: the USE has no alternative."

It is surprising that the staunch liberal Y. Latynina goes much further than her political opponents Vladimir Putin and D. Medvedev, who have repeatedly stated: "The Unified State Examination has more pluses than minuses." The events of this year have shown that their thesis needs to be seriously tested. On this path, an alternative is indicated.

The authorities can no longer pretend that nothing is happening with the USE. Stupidly maintaining the status quo is no longer just an outrage on common sense. - Loss of trust. The USE is a systemic error that must be recognized and corrected.

There is always an alternative. The output is seen as follows. - Upon completion of the exams, a State Commission is created that unites both supporters and opponents of the USE. The goal is to prepare a report in which: a) an honest analysis of the history and consequences of the introduction of the USE is carried out; b) new rules for conducting final and entrance examinations in 2014 are proposed. I am convinced that with the serious work of such a commission, a reasonable alternative will be found.

The tireless titanic work on the senseless and merciless improvement of the Unified State Examination reminds me of an experiment that refutes the myth that one should not step on a rake. The result of the next jump on the rake is predictable: legs in the blood, a hematoma on the forehead. And faith: what if next time I will slip through. - Will not work.

Corresponding member of RAO,

Alexander Abramov