Final exams

[Anonymous]

Why did FCCPS stop having final exams for HS students? I know it’s a trend (MCPS stopped them as well). What is the reasoning? College is going to be a rude awakening for these kids.

[Anonymous]

Because they are too hard

[Anonymous]

Its sad how down hill schools are going, we had finals growing up, and it wasn't the end of the world.

[Anonymous]

Not equitable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not equitable.

Ding ding ding. They’re dumbing it down to the lowest common denominator

[Anonymous]

APS schools for many decades exempted seniors with A averages from taking finals. For the past 10 to 15 years, during the final three weeks of school following AP / IB exams, APS seniors at W-L and Yorktown do Senior Experience (a professional internship, travel, a paid job, finding yourself, other activity, etc.). Wakefield seniors have Senior Project, the culmination of a year of independent study. I’m not sure if Wakefield seniors have finals, but they remain on campus unlike at W-L and Yorktown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:APS schools for many decades exempted seniors with A averages from taking finals. For the past 10 to 15 years, during the final three weeks of school following AP / IB exams, APS seniors at W-L and Yorktown do Senior Experience (a professional internship, travel, a paid job, finding yourself, other activity, etc.). Wakefield seniors have Senior Project, the culmination of a year of independent study. I’m not sure if Wakefield seniors have finals, but they remain on campus unlike at W-L and Yorktown.

It’s different when it comes to seniors. But I think it’s a terrible idea to mix final exams for grades 9-11. I guess building “grit” is no longer the educational fad of the moment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS schools for many decades exempted seniors with A averages from taking finals. For the past 10 to 15 years, during the final three weeks of school following AP / IB exams, APS seniors at W-L and Yorktown do Senior Experience (a professional internship, travel, a paid job, finding yourself, other activity, etc.). Wakefield seniors have Senior Project, the culmination of a year of independent study. I’m not sure if Wakefield seniors have finals, but they remain on campus unlike at W-L and Yorktown.

It’s different when it comes to seniors. But I think it’s a terrible idea to mix final exams for grades 9-11. I guess building “grit” is no longer the educational fad of the moment.

Schools in the States are moving in the opposite direction of schools in Finland or other European countries that are often lauded for their schools. But we do have unique problems like overcoming the cycle of poverty and the achievement gap which equity measures claim to solve once and for all.

I guess we’ll know in a few years if these measures are successful or not. School systems are implementing these measures unevenly and to varying degrees. Due to parent and teacher criticism, APS will likely implement some compromise or hybrid approach that retains a fair amount of academic rigor and high expectations for all students. I’m not sure about FCCPS apart from what’s been mentioned. It’s sad however that some school districts now have almost no expectations for student achievement and attendance. Yet students graduate into the real world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS schools for many decades exempted seniors with A averages from taking finals. For the past 10 to 15 years, during the final three weeks of school following AP / IB exams, APS seniors at W-L and Yorktown do Senior Experience (a professional internship, travel, a paid job, finding yourself, other activity, etc.). Wakefield seniors have Senior Project, the culmination of a year of independent study. I’m not sure if Wakefield seniors have finals, but they remain on campus unlike at W-L and Yorktown.

It’s different when it comes to seniors. But I think it’s a terrible idea to mix final exams for grades 9-11. I guess building “grit” is no longer the educational fad of the moment.

Schools in the States are moving in the opposite direction of schools in Finland or other European countries that are often lauded for their schools. But we do have unique problems like overcoming the cycle of poverty and the achievement gap which equity measures claim to solve once and for all.

I guess we’ll know in a few years if these measures are successful or not. School systems are implementing these measures unevenly and to varying degrees. Due to parent and teacher criticism, APS will likely implement some compromise or hybrid approach that retains a fair amount of academic rigor and high expectations for all students. I’m not sure about FCCPS apart from what’s been mentioned. It’s sad however that some school districts now have almost no expectations for student achievement and attendance. Yet students graduate into the real world.

Well said.

[Anonymous]

Eliminating traditional grades, final exams, standardized tests, etc, for high school students is not likely to erase the achievement gap. Unless the gap itself is addressed by more vigorous education for all students starting at young ages, eliminating these assessments (and the learning and studying they require) will simply mask the achievement gap and lower expectations for everyone. It doesn’t bode well for our country’s future, especially relative to those countries that encourage educational rigor.

[Anonymous]

My DD is a Junior at Bishop O'Connell and this week is final exams all week. She is working hard studying but is miserable. It is a lot of work even when the student prepares well in advance. This thread has made me thankful that she is being challenged in this way ... even though she really is not happy this week!

[Anonymous]

My Wakefield senior has not done anything of substance since May, so has lost an entire month of education. Meanwhile my other kid on Catholic school is working practically to the bell. I greatly prefer the latter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My Wakefield senior has not done anything of substance since May, so has lost an entire month of education. Meanwhile my other kid on Catholic school is working practically to the bell. I greatly prefer the latter.

Senior year after AP exams has always been subject to senior slump. Students are already college bound. I think that’s why Wakefield started the Senior Project years ago. I’ve heard from other parents that it can be quite the challenging and creative endeavor. Isn’t it graded?

[Anonymous]

If you take AP research you don't have to do the senior project. And that class is over.

At any rate, school ends this week, so it is what it is.

[Anonymous]

Feedback from FCPS educated DS who just finished his freshman year of college:
He said that he wished he had final exams in high school as not having them was a significant disadvantage this past year in college.