So you essentially want a kid to be able to “test out” of High School? As long as the criteria (tests, scores, etc) are properly chosen I have no problem with that.
In fact I think a person should be able to test out of college, anything. I once wanted to promote a technician to the engineering grade level but HR wouldn’t let me because he didn’t have the degree. I claimed he could do the work and should be promoted. They finally agreed that if he could pass two professional certifications that were designed for engineers, I could promote him. He did and I did.
If you can do the work as determined by objective professional standards, you ought to get the degree, job, whatever.
” I claimed he could do the work and should be promoted. They finally agreed that if he could pass two professional certifications that were designed for engineers, I could promote him. He did and I did.”
I have had this problem my entire career. I didn’t have a degree and couldn’t get the jobs I was qualified for. I passed my PMP (project management professional) exam as well as my Intermediate ITIL exam for Operational Support and Analysis. When I went for interviews, I was usually asked what separates me from the pack. I would tell them, they could take someone with a masters degree who got their PMP because they were released from the workforce and either decided to get a PMP or become a life coach, or they can take someone with over 20 years of practical experience who understands how to get a project done without the use of a text book.
Charles Murray ( author of the “Bell Curve”) agrees with you. He has written a wonderful essay.
Please do a Google search on the words: “ Charles Murray For Most People College is a Waste of Time.”