-----Original Message----- From: w3kd@aol.com To: w5zn@arrl.org Sent: Tue, 7 Aug 2007 10:18 am Subject: Re: Spanish Language Exams Joel, it is incredible to me as well. The FCC turned down our good friend Victor Madera's proposal to standardize Spanish language exams, saying it was the VEC's job to determine how best to administer the exams. ARRL-VEC has always led the way in insuring exam integrity. W5YI-VEC, of course, failed to put sufficient safeguards in place to stop Puerto Rico exam cheating, and Riley had to threaten the W5YI-VEC with revocation of their accreditation if they didn't fix their lack of supervision over exams in Puerto Rico. So, this effort is nothing other than a mechanism to insure the high degree of exam integrity that ARRL-VEC has been the standard-bearer of for years. Any other position would be contrary to the best interests of the VEC program. Chris W3KD -----Original Message----- From: Joel Harrison <w5zn@arrl.org> To: arrl-odv <arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org> Sent: Sun, 5 Aug 2007 9:58 pm Subject: Spanish Language Exams I started receiving emails today complaining about ARRL’s “push” to establish Spanish language Amateur Radio exams. The emails are apparently being generated from a W5YI story as well as a spot in the ARRL Letter about a motion ARRL made at the recent NCVEC meeting. Here’s a bit of history and info for use in responding to any members that may inquire. FCC amateur radio exams have been available in Spanish since before the creation of the VEC program, back when the FCC administered all the exams. Remember that the FCC regulates amateur radio (and other radio services as well) in Puerto Rico where Spanish is an official language and only a minority of the citizens are fluent in English. The only current issue, and the purpose of ARRL’s NCVEC motion, is whether there should be a single, standard version of the Spanish question pool (there currently isn’t), or whether the longstanding practice of allowing any translation done by any VE team or VECs should be continued. We believe there should be one standard and only one translation. It’s beyond me how our attempt at tightening the program by having one standard and one single translation based on the current English version is being misinterpreted as a “push” by ARRL to permit Spanish language exams when in fact they have been in existence for decades predating the VEC system. Of course, the current feelings over immigration certainly fuel a fire regarding anything Spanish these days. 73 Joel W5ZN AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com. ________________________________________________________________________ AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.