I think Dick is concerned about the level of participation in folk music and Efdss exams could be a doorway in, much the same as the star system we used on our four year old grand daughter to encourage her to eat greens and fruit. This isn't a joke or a dig, my kids did ballet for exams and medals etc but were under no illusions that they were going to be ballerinas ( well, not after the age of thirteen!) Just maybe a folk art exam/level of achievement award system might work for the three to thirteen age group and may achieve a greater level of participation later in life. It may also help impoverished folkies to supplement gigging with lessons! I think it is worthy of debate and it may work, it would certainly raise the consciousness of vernacular music and art, I would also include memory tests to encourage the oral tradition!
Peter