Possible Bias in the LMSW Test

The State of Minnesota, in response to a research provided by Ralph Holcomb, MSW, Ph.D in 2004, moderated their licensing requirement for Hmong test takers. Dr. Holcomb’s report was required to include (1) the results of the study, and (2) recommendations for possible solutions to address any disparity in examination failure rates among different populations. The data and analysis demonstrated that the exam passage rate was substantially higher for Whites than Non-Whites, and much higher for Whites than for those reporting “Asian American” on the exam. Passage rates for minority candidates remained between one-half to two-thirds the passage rates of Whites.”

Initially, the ESL committee chose to widen its community roundtable discussions to include American Indian and African American Social Workers since Dr. Holcomb’s report demonstrated a disparity for all ethnic groups except Whites. However, the Board requested that he research only foreign-born social workers. One of Dr. Holcomb’s recommendations was to: Identify alternative ways to measure social work competencies and knowledge that are effective, valid and feasible. He stated, “If the Board decides to modify the present alternative licensure system, it should review the TEXAS model of alternative licensure as one option”.