The Student ACA (SACA) and the Student ICA (SICA) are the latest segments of the chiropractic profession to voice concerns over the actions of the directors of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE).
Letter to the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners - from the Presidents of the Student Chapters of the International Chiropractors Association
In light of the growing revelations regarding the current practices of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, we the presidents of the student chapters of the International Chiropractors Association at chiropractic colleges throughout the country, have come together to request reforms within the NBCE.In the past few weeks, concerned students of these colleges have come together in open meetings, to voice their concerns and suggest means of improving the current state of the NBCE.
The chief concern of the students is the cost of taking exams and the level of profitability of the NBCE. The $1,450 fee required for Parts I-IV adds greatly to the debt students acquire over the course of their education. Most students find it necessary to take out loans, which will accumulate interest over time, and may result in the cost of taking Parts I-IV increasing to more than $4,000 over the life of the loan. In light of the significant profit made by the NBCE last year, its large funds in investments, and its overinflated costs for directors to attend the examinations, it is crucial that the NBCE review its budget and set a more modest one. The students are also of the opinion that the NBCE should limit its use of funds to the improvement of the national board examinations exclusively.
As we enter the 21st century, technology has never been more readily available or easier to use. Most postgraduate professions have been testing their students using computer-based technology for years. Computer-based objective testing is a simple and very cost-effective way to test students. Not only would computer testing significantly reduce the cost of testing students, but it would significantly increase the rate at which students get their results. In addition, computer testing would increase the number of tests available to students each year, accounting for the various schedules of chiropractic colleges, and giving more flexibility to the students.
The considerable amount of time it takes to get test results back is another major concern of students. This long delay prevents the new chiropractor from obtaining licensure soon after graduation. This results in new graduates with no income and hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal loan debt hanging over their heads. This is unacceptable to the students who are fully aware of optional computer-based testing capabilities, which would return their test results in a matter of days, or at most, a couple of weeks.
Another topic of student concern is the content of the examinations, especially Part IV. It seems that the content of the examination does not coincide with the laws governing chiropractic as defined by individual states and the content of material taught in chiropractic colleges. The students would like to urge the NBCE to utilize recent graduates, professors, and field doctors from the various colleges, in as many aspects of the testing process as possible. In this way, we may be ensured that their voices are heard and opinions utilized in the writing of future board examinations, making them more appropriate to the practice of chiropractic.
The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners is being given the opportunity by students and chiropractors alike to quickly, reasonably, and ethically correct the dilemmas within this organization. We the students thank you for your attention, and look forward to seeing many positive changes take place within the NBCE.
On behalf of all chiropractic students, and the student members and student officers of the ICA:
J. Richard Araya
National Chair
Student Chapters
International Chiropractors Association
SACA Voices Student Perspective on NBCE Practices
The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners demands a high quality of educational and clinical skills in the chiropractic students it tests. The student ACA would like to take this opportunity to demand the same level of quality from the board members of its examining organization. The student ACA mirrors concerns expressed by the ACA, particularly in the areas of electronic testing and cost reduction for the exam the NBCE administers.As today's chiropractic student is encouraged to embrace the electronic revolution both inside and outside the classroom, we find it archaic to write Parts I, II and III in gradeschool desks with dusty No. 2 pencils. We urge the NBCE to utilize the technology that has been available for 20 years and furnish us with an electronic testing option. This would not only allow greater flexibility and practicality for students, more expedient results and quicker re-evaluation opportunities, but also decrease testing expenses for the NBCE. Electronic testing is an inevitable force in the national testing process, and students would rather see the change sooner than later.
Although the NBCE feels that it operates financially within legal limits to retain not-for-profit status, excessive revenues and expenditures warrant further evaluation of testing fees. With the rising cost of tuition and a heavy undergraduate debt, chiropractic students are now more financially burdened than ever. In terms of mandatory testing, operational and institutional advancement costs for the NBCE are justifiable; Excessive traveling expenses and expensive dinners are not. After all, it is the students' loan dollars that fund your overhead, business meetings, and staff expenses. In light of this, we ask that the NBCE reconsider their priorities. Are they to advance and ensure the continuance of a well-educated, qualified profession, or to pamper board members on "business" meetings?
SACA recognizes the quality of the Part I-IV exams. This is not our point of contention. We are concerned about the pervasiveness of "old-school" bureaucracy embedded within the NBCE's organizational hierarchy. If excess funds are available, we ask the NBCE to consider reducing the cost of the exams. The student ACA asks the NBCE to please examine these issues. Doing so demonstrates respect for chiropractic students as their future colleagues, and the future state and national board members.
Michele Maiers
National Chair
Student ACA
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