It's another eminently smart, thoroughly untenable idea. And it's not even Kelly Lamrock's.

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How long before Kelly Lamrock, New Brunswick's besieged Minister of Education, finds himself at the receiving end of another barrage of useful advice pertaining to the waste receptacle into which his policies should be inserted?

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Having "endeared" himself to many Anglophones and Francophones over the past few weeks on the matter of early French immersion in the province's English school system, the brave (foolhardy?) MLA now wants to elevate educational attainment rates by testing the bejeezuz out of those who consistently fail to make the grade in national and international assessments.

Referring, last week, to New Brunswick's abysmally poor showing in a recent Canada-wide achievement exam, the minister said: "In the light of repeated low academic scores, we must act urgently and at as early an age as possible. If we intervene now before kids get into kindergarten, we're not wasting time coming up with a plan after they've already arrived and are struggling.

Indeed, a child who cannot read by the end of Grade 2 is at risk, not only of dropping out, but, more importantly, of losing [his] passion for learning and belief that [he] can learn. This plan is about insisting on better results in literacy, math and science."

Specifically, "this plan" is about assessing the progress of children, through standardized evaluations, at the pre-school level, and in Grades 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 11. Once implemented in September, the program will make New Brunswick's public school system the most thoroughly scrutinized in the nation. And then what?

Some are already sceptical. According to Monique Caissie, vice-president of the province's Francophone teachers association, "adding more tests is not the answer. Studies show that this is really not the way to go. Instead, we should focus on adding more resources and staff so that teachers can spend more time and attention on working individually with students."

But, in a way, they are both correct.

Standardized tests, when properly and intelligently administered, are excellent means for obtaining crucial information about what works, and what does not, in any type of school system. From these, one hopes, wise policies flow. Curricula can be adjusted. Instructional techniques can be sharpened.

On the other hand, examinations go only so far without a financial commitment commensurate with the pedagogical challenges that need addressing. What good are tests if the provincial government's approach to classroom reform remains clay-footed? What utility is there in conducting regular assessments absent of the political will to spend money on real, tangible solutions?

One solution that strikes me as indisputably sensible is a comprehensive program of early childhood education offered by both the Anglophone and Francophone school systems. The National Education Association in the United States finds that, "high quality early childhood education represents one of the best investments our country can make. Research shows that high quality education before a child turns five yields significant long-term benefits. One study found that individuals who were enrolled in a quality preschool program ultimately earned up to $2,000 more per month than those who were not. Young people who were in preschool programs are more likely to graduate from high school, and to own homes.

"Other studies show similar results. Children in quality preschool programs are less likely to repeat grades, need special education, or get into future trouble with the law. Early childhood education makes good economic sense, as well. A high-ranking Federal Reserve Bank official pegs its return on investment at 12 per cent, after inflation."

Of course, to work in New Brunswick, any form of ECE must be provided universally without consideration for specific linguistic, economic, or geographic circumstances. It would, in fact, cost millions, if not billions, a year to maintain. Moreover, the program might take decades to produce convincing results.

There you go, Mr. Lamrock: Another eminently smart, thoroughly untenable idea. And it's not even yours.

You're welcome.

Alec Bruce is a Moncton-based writer. He may be reached via www.thebrucereport.com