What?

The organization of semester final exams had to be changed this year because of STA’s new PowerSchool scheduling system. In the past, students took semester exams according to their Friday mods schedule, but under PowerSchool, not all students have all their classes on Fridays. At the beginning of the school year, STA principal for academic affairs Barbara McCormick gathered a committee to reorganize the first semester exam schedule. Students this year took their tests in groups according to subject. For example, all students taking a science exam took their tests on the same day in the same place. Because students took their tests by subject, the testing groups were larger and testing locations had to be assigned.

So what?

The changes in the final exam scheduling system became a controversial topic at STA. Some members of the STA community felt that the larger test-taking groups would encourage cheating, while others felt that having only one regular exam time per course would make cheating more difficult. Some students also complained that the larger test-taking setting made it harder to focus during exams. Others said they felt distracted by the moderators and other students who had already finished their exams. Another issue brought up by students was that many were unable to see the time while testing.

Now what?

At the start of this semester, several teachers sought out student opinions of the new semester exams system. Due to the issues mentioned above, some students hope to see changes in the future. During a faculty meeting Jan. 3, faculty members gave feedback on the recent changes, which the exams committee is taking under consideration in their plans for future finals. McCormick has also asked students for feedback. The semester exams committee is still reviewing the schedule and gathering student and teacher feedback. The committee is as of yet unsure what second semester finals will look like.