As surely as we will count pollen, we can depend on the annual story about Hillsborough County schools’ examination-exemption policy. And apparently we’re still allergic to sense. This policy continues to make none.
In an effort to incentivize students to come to school, (yes, you read that correctly) Hillsborough started the exemption system a decade ago. Some of the requirements:
*Keep at least a C average in the class. Seriously, a C.
*Zero absences in every class equals four exemptions in the first semester
and three in the second.
*Missing three days means two exam exemptions. Missing two days
means one exempt exam.
Inevitably, the policy led to two developments. Some exemption-seeking students have come to school even when they are sick – thus contributing to others’ absences. And students and parents can be counted on to lobby for more leniency. To wit: Must family emergencies be counted? What about special-needs students? Etc.
But just for argument’s sake, let’s try on this, however haplessly old-school, rationale. If a semester exam has value and validity, it has to be taken. By everybody.
It should assess what – cumulatively – has been learned by students. This is beyond quizzes and tests. If designed properly, an exam is a valuable pedagogical tool – not some superfluous, end-of-semester annoyance or attendance-motivating, educational carrot.
One other point. Apologies to Woody Allen, but since when did just showing up count so much?