Education

I know it would be difficult and stressful, but, getting a set of subdivision plans approved isn't exactly a walk in the park.

There's no doubt that there are challenges that professional educators face that those of us not involved with the process on a daily basis are unaware of. That doesn't mean that what the rest of us face isn't as challenging, or even more challenging.

To get a subdivision approved; you have to get a preliminary plat approved by the planning commission. Frequently you have to coordinate with the utilities before-hand: water, sewer, street lighting, traffic. Then you have to prepare a set of plans that an engineer from each of these entities have to sign off on. You have to perform drainage calculations, make sure the vertical and horizontal alignments meet AASHTO standards. Often coordinate with contractors and engineering subcontractors for soil tests and reports.

Frequently there are parties whose goals do not line up with yours and your clients.

I don't know how familiar you are with the process of becoming a professional engineer, but it is a 4 year program starting with Calc I. If you take 17 hours a semester. That should tell you right there it's a 5 year program (6 for architectural engineers). After completing your degree you take the Fundamentals of Engineering (an 8 hour exam) then you work as engineer intern for 4 years. When you have met the minimum requirements for experience; you are allowed to take the Professional Engineers exam (another 8 hour exam). Frequently people fail the PE exam (I took it 3 times) the first time I took it the exam had a 52% pass rate.

I tell you this because I've taken a lot of tests; the Professional Surveyors process is similar, and I am both a PE and a PS (I took the state portion of the PS 4 times). The Bar Exam (for attorneys) is a 3 day exam. These are high stakes tests and it takes weeks of preparation in order to succeed.

If you want kids to pass high stakes exams; the first step is test them frequently (every day) over the material. So that they aren't nervous or intimidated by exams.

As I've said; I'd welcome an opportunity to do the experiment that you have lined out. However, as I've also said elsewhere (to someone else) I'm stuck at home with my severely autistic, non-verbal, self-injurious 18 year old daughter; because the school can't handle her.