Retesting and "Microinterpretation"
CHUCK BRAMLET (chuckb@AZTEC.ASU.EDU)
Wed, 21 Aug 1996 23:57:42 -0700
One poster yesterday refered us to the Scoutmaster's Handbook, for the
final word on the retest question. Well, I went there, and looked.
It seems to me that we are arguing over microinterpretation on this
point, also.
Some of you are saying, in effect, that once the boy has been passed
on the skill, no one can ever ask him to demonstrate it again. Ever!
Sorry, guys. I don't buy it.
Here is what I found in the SMHB.
In Chapter 8 (page 98), top paragraph:
When a Scout has completed all the requirements for a rank, he appears
before a board of review composed of members of the troop committee.
Their purpose is not to retest the Scout, but to make sure he has met
all the requirements for the rank, and to chat with him a while to
learn how he feels he's doing[...]"
I sure would like someone to enlighten me as to how the BoR is to make
sure that the boy has met all the requirements without asking him
anything about them. I am not advocating a retest, either. but I
don't think a "spot check" is out of line.
Also, as an item of curiousity, I have a 1958 revision of a BSA
publication titled "Advancement in the Troop". This publication states
"Let's remember that this interview is a "review"...not a "re-
examination". So the program hasn't changed - at least that much.
But, as I stated before on this subject, "Show me how to tie a sheet-
bend" can give you a lot more information than if Jimmy knows how to
tie the sheet-bend with his hands behind his back. And, no matter how
much balley-hoo is raised about it here, I will probably keep on asking
all the Scouts that come before BoRs that I sit on to tie one knot. It
gives me information that I need. I will stop if my DE tells me to,
and can explain the contradictions in this policy. "Not a time for
retest" may not necessarily mean avoid the requirements entirely.
YiS,
Chuck Bramlet, ASM Troop 323
Thunderbird District, Grand Canyon Council, Phoenix, Az.
I "used to be" an Antelope! (and a good ol' Antelope, too...) WEM-10-95
Please E-mail any replies to: >> chuckb@aztec.asu.edu <<
Member DNRC
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