A proposal to eliminate the final exam exemption for students with a 93 or higher will go into effect next year. Unfortunately, even hard-working students with an “A” grade will need to take an exam at the end of every year to demonstrate their understanding of the subject, which is unfair. Seniors will be exempt from this requirement.
Students who receive an “A” in their classes work very hard all year, and their grades reflect that. School does not come easily for everyone, so obtaining a good grade can be very rewarding. With this policy, it can be a goal for all to try and achieve the ability to be dismissed from finals. Removing this policy could affect students’ work ethic and make school less of a priority. When a student has an “A” in their class, it shows they have performed well, completed all of their work on time, and have shown their understanding of the course. If this is the case, then why must it be required for students to then take an exam worth 10% of their grade? Usually, if someone works hard or does something very well, they are rewarded. Shouldn’t this still apply to high school students? The stress of being a teenager is more than most adults realize. At 17 and 18 years old, we are required to set up our future, and our education plays a big role. I believe that if this policy is removed, it could seriously affect the students of SHHS.
It should not be a shock that test-taking is very stressful for any student, whether they are studying for a midterm, SAT, ACT, or AP exam. Students take enough draining tests; the final exam is not needed. It does not make sense that we are giving hard-working students another test to strain and stress about. The final exam is worth a very small part of your final grade, so why take the test to begin with? Some may say test taking is very important, and it is a skill you need to learn. My response is that having an exempt policy for final exams does not jeopardize students’ ability to complete an exam. This is why we have midterms and other tests like MCAS to see the students’ test-taking abilities.
Being exempt has multiple benefits for students as well as teachers. Those who have shown they’ve understood the material can relax, while those who aren’t as inclined in school have the chance to push themselves. It also gives teachers one less thing to grade before the year ends. When looking at the new policy, it is hard to find a reason for it being put in place. For example, the South Hadley Public Schools Competency Determination Protocol says the purpose is “to ensure that all students meet rigorous academic standards in core subjects, demonstrating their preparedness for life after high school, regardless of the MCAS requirement. The goal is to prepare students for college, career, and civic engagement, with a strong emphasis on critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills.” I find this argument not very strong. Everything the document says finals are preparing us for, “A” students have already proven that they have obtained these skills throughout their class performance.
As a sophomore, I know that being exempt from final exams is a weight lifted off my shoulders, as if I’m being recognized for all the work I’ve put into being a straight “A” student. If this new policy is acted upon, it will be inevitable that students’ work ethic will decrease. I strongly believe that I can speak for the majority of the student body when I say that hard-working students should be rewarded and that we should be allowed to be exempt from finals.
