As Pacific University College of Optometry Dean, Fraser Horn, OD, FAAO, understands the weight of the recent National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) Part II grading changes. For students who initially received passing scores only to have them changed to failing scores, it was nothing short of heartbreaking, he says.
As president of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), Dr. Horn felt the shock from all around the country. While he worries most about the students, he’s also adamant from his conversation with NBEO leaders that this was a mistake, not intentional. “The NBEO feels horrible,” Dr. Horn says. “It was an honest mistake, but that doesn’t change the impact on students.”
It is not publicly known how many of the 1,866 candidates’ scores shifted from passing to failing, but the fallout has been significant. Dr. Horn says he heard from many students, and while some took the mistake in stride, others felt their trust in the NBEO shaken. “Even those who ultimately passed still felt that sting,” he says. “They’ve worked so hard, and when something like this happens, it’s an emotional rollercoaster. The impact cannot be understated.”
MOVING BEYOND THIS MOMENT
The NBEO notified students over the weekend that they would be able to retake the test (given at multiple testing centers) at no cost and would have access to study materials at no charge. But the mistake did rattle confidence in a system meant to ensure competency. “Some people are being really hard on the NBEO, and I get it,” Dr. Horn says. “For some students, it felt catastrophic in the moment.”
In the days following the mix up, Dr. Horn and other deans have met with NBEO leadership. Dr. Horn emphasizes, “It was an avoidable mistake, but a mistake nonetheless. Unfortunately, this one impacted so many people.”
And for some, it brings up other issues over the years with the NBEO. “The NBEO has committed to doing better, so we need to give them time while also holding them accountable for the changes they’ve promised,” Dr. Horn says.
And in the meantime, schools and colleges will continue to focus on preparing students to be clinicians.
SOLID EDUCATION
While the NBEO scoring does not identify those questions that a student got wrong, Dr. Horn and his colleagues around the country can help students analyze their performance. The test results do identify areas where they could improve.
In online conversations about the news, some argued that failing scores could be an indication that schools are pushing out students who are not prepared to be doctors. Dr. Horn disagrees, emphasizing that schools are teaching to prepare students to practice, as well as teaching to the board tests. He appeals directly to optometrists in the profession. “If you want to help, start recruiting the next generation of optometrists—your patients who are in middle school, high school or college. Our profession is strong, beautiful and built on communication,” he says. Future optometrists are these young patients already in optometrists’ offices, and optometrists have a great opportunity to spur their interest in the profession.
For now, Dr. Horn encourages two actions. The first is looking for additional transparency and communication from the NBEO. “We need to give them time to fix things, but they also need to follow through,” he says. “There’s a crisis of faith when institutions make mistakes like this. People lose trust, and they start demanding more transparency—and rightfully so. The NBEO needs to show us they’re listening.”
And immediately, Dr. Horn and his colleagues are focused on supporting students through the fallout. “Whether you went from pass to fail or you’re still struggling with what this all means, know that we’re here for you. We’re excited to welcome you into the profession. We love what we do—and we’ll be here to help.”
Read the NBEO statement following the scoring errors.
