Principal sees advantages to policy |
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Pittsburg High School principal Mike Philpot had his doubts about the school's final examination policy. "I was not in favor of this in the beginning," Philpot said. "But so far it has increased attendance for the target group of students." PHS, like many area high schools, used an exemption policy for this semester's final examinations. The policy, which allows students who have earned high marks in the classroom and have regular attendance to be exempt from taking the class final, was put in place to help boost daily student attendance and encourage students to keep their grades high in each class. If the student meets the terms of the policy, then they are free to leave the school or relax in the commons area during the time their exam is being given. Philpot said this is the third semester for the school to use the policy, which has helped to increase the school's attendance numbers. On Thursday, students could be found through out the lunch room and commons area of the high school talking, relaxing and simply enjoying their time away from the classroom. Philpot said that approximately 72 percent of PHS students have been excused from at least one of their finals for the fall semester. "We're just talking and hanging out," Vicki Lewis, a sophomore at PHS said. "I only have to take two of my eight finals." Lewis, and other students at her table Thursday morning, agreed that the exemption policy helps to motivate them to attend class and earn high marks. "I didn't think a lot about it at the beginning of the year," Lewis said. "But towards the end I thought about it and tried to step up my work. It's a relief not to have to take all my finals." Even teaches benefited from the policy. "Rewarding students for being here really does help me," said Doug Barto, math teacher for PHS. "It makes a big difference for some kids. The policy makes them be a lot more conscious of their grades and attendance." PHS music teacher Susan Lauschman said she in favor of anything that helps improve student attendance and effort in the classroom. "The policy is very motivational for students," Lauschman said. "Anything that improves daily attendance also improves me because I have more students in class everyday." The only problem Barto said he finds with the exemption policy is a disadvantage it could give upper classmen. "Some upper classmen could suffer when they get to college," Barto said. "If they have not had the experience of studying for and taking a final exam." But Philpot said he believes his students take enough exams during the course of the year that they are prepared and skilled in taking exams. The Morning Sun, (www.morningsun.net) December 22, 2006 |
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