What happened to standards?

In a book published more than 20 years ago, ``Small World Long Gone: A Family Record Of An Era,'' Avia Carlson describes what was entailed in passing a Kansas examination demanded of all eighth-graders in the first decade of the century.

This exam stands in stark contrast to the demand -- or lack thereof -- in the present state school system.

In 1907, according to Carlson, students were asked to spell such words as ``abbreviated,'' ``elucidation,'' ``animosity,'' ``assassination'' and ``obscene.''

Two of the arithmetic questions asked students to ``find the interest on an 8 percent note for $900 running 2 years, 2 months, 6 days and to reduce 3 pecks, 5 quarts, 1 pint to bushels.''

They were asked to define: zenith, deviated, colossus, misconception, panegyric, spartan, talisman, triton, crypt and aerie.

Among geography's 10 questions were: ``Name two countries producing large quantities of wheat, two of cotton, two of coal, and two of tea'' and ``name three important rivers in the United States, three of Europe, three of Asia, three of South America and three of Africa.''

In history, students were asked to comment on the writings of Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin.

As a professor for more than three decades, reading this exam takes my breath away. My guess is only a handful of contemporary eighth-graders nationwide can pass it.

If any school were to attempt to introduce an exam of this kind, it would immediately be labeled ``elitist.'' National Education Association leaders would condemn such a test as narrow and parochial.

We have come a long way since 1907, but it is certainly not the high road we have taken.

For those suspicious about the claims of dumbing down in this nation, I suggest they ask any group of students at any level of education to take this 1907 exam. I can reliably predict the result.