My opinion is completely bias, but I think everyone has a stake in this topic. I am a sophomore in
high school, and I am looking for a change. I think it’s unfair that the kids who try their hardest and
come to school almost everyday still have to take finals. I feel like if we changed this,
students wouldn’t have as much stress and even try harder to keep A’s so they don’t have to
take exams.

My last high school had a strict final system, It was really easy to not take finals and
I know it pushes students to do better so they didn’t have to show up to school on finals day.
That school enforces the following policy:  If a student gets an A average in a class, and doesn’t miss more than 3
days of school (School activities do not count), then the student was excused from taking
finals. The student also can’t have more than 2 detentions or an ISS or an OSS. I feel
like this is a really good method beecause students get in less trouble when they are driven. They also go to class and
try not to get tardies. The older method of the policy was:  If you miss one day you need a C average; if you
miss two days a B average; and if you miss three days then you must have an A average to not have to take exams. Honestly, I disagree with this method as I feel it doesn’t push students to their full potential.  For example, it’s not hard to come to school everyday. Also,a C average doesn’t push students to their full potential. On the other hand, I feel the first method of exams really makes students want to excel.

I understand that finals are used to show progress and to help get the student ready for college, but we as is we have no reward other than grades. If you are not grade oriented, there is no incentive to push yourself without that.
I’m not stating that students need rewards, but I feel if students had rewards for coming
to school everyday and getting straight A’s, then a lot of students would try harder.

When I asked for opinions, Mr Boeving, the Social studies teacher stated, ”Pick from some classes to take finals”.  I feel that this could be a decent compromise to finals and let students can choose what classes they want. If they have straight A’s and miss no more than 3 days, they could pick from what classes they wanted to take finals.
Many students like this idea, but the only thing they dislike is the attendance portion.  One thing I think would have to be strict is that to not take finals, a student cannot have more than 3 missed days. No matter what, they must be here for school.

Exams are just hectic too and make everyone stressed out. I’ve asked a lot of students to provide their opinion on exams too. Chris Vandeford, sophomore, stated “They [exams] are pointless!  All exams do is put stress on students and the grade is pointless. The teachers also have to go out of there way to make sure everything is perfect for them to do well on the exam. Everyone needs to know the stress it puts on the teachers and students.”

Even some teachers think that exams should be held different in Red Bud high school.
Mr Magee (Red Bud Science teacher) stated, “Exams are a good way to prepare yourself for college. I
think it would be alright if students with straight A’s didn’t take them it would be a good incentive
to do better.” Another teacher, Mr. Brinkmann stated, “I think final exams shouldn’t make or break
your grade, but are very useful for preparation in college.” I agree with a lot of these opinions.
I feel like if we followed through with this or even compromised with these ideas, students will try harder. Students will try to come to school every day. Take it from someone who has gone from missing over 50 days in middle school to a kid who has perfect attendance. This method of final examss really does help students stay on track and
will make students work harder.