Semester Tests

The semester tests/attendance exemption policy is always a hot topic among students towards the end of the semester. The rule states that if you have an A, you're allowed three absences in the course. A student with a "B" is allowed two absences. A student with a "C" is allowed once absence to be exempt from taking semester exams. If your grades and absences don't mirror those, you are required to take the semester exam in that class. This rule was implemented to increase attendance rates at AHS. Some students argue that it is not fair; if they have an A and four absences, they still have to take the exam, but if someone has a C and one absence they do not. This bothers people because an A is a much better grade than a C, so why should the student with an A in the class have to take it, but the student with a C does not? Other students have made statements such as “I can't always control if I can or can't come to school. Things happen.” In my personal opinion, I think the end of the semester would be much less stressful if all students were required to take the semester exam except for people with absolutely zero absences. This would still drive students to come to school and make December and May much more bearable.