I see no reason for seniors to be exempt from final exams if they score an A- or higher in each of the 4 marking periods of a full year course. This would be a great incentive to work hard. In the same respect, these basement grades that reward students for doing nothing have got to go. A student that earns a 30% in a marking period should not have their grade rounded up to a 60%. The same goes for midterms and final exams. Why should a student who earns a 40% in a midterm exam have their grade automatically raised up to a 60%. What about the student who legitimately earns a 60%? How is that fair to them? What kind of message is this sending? If grades are to represent material learned, how can education be ok with just elevating grades? Wow, this is still a shocker and my 5th grade teacher who taught me that the grade you receive is the grade you earned must be turning over in her grave.

I agree with this, many schools already do it, if they have an A- or higher then they should be exempt from the final. I also agree with. BRSoccer about the basement grades.

BRSoccer nailed it perfectly.

Minimum grade:
Most districts do the same thing (with grade of 50). The idea of a minimum grade is a joke and in no way prepares kids for college, work, or life.

Exams:
Earn your exemption by demonstrating excellence all year long. Currently, a senior can waive out of ONE final exam. I support changing this to any/all exams in which said senior has a 90 or higher for all 4 marking periods AND the midterm exam.

I think this is a great idea, especially for those students who take many AP classes. The value of the final exam should be a knowledge based objective. My child whose AP exams will all occur before the final exam period make the finals essentially moot anyway. Moreover, it gives incentive for students to perform well all throughout their senior year with an inticement (which for all intents and purpose have a negligible effect on their overal grade) at the end. The point is even if the student gets a 50% on the final given it's 10% weighting this has only a 5% effect on the total grade, pro-rated throughout their entire high school grade would only have a mere 1.25% deviation on their GPA. If a parent is worried how that 1.25% effects their ability to get into a university or otherwise long term effect on their perspective of work and values I would contend the parent has larger issues to deal with that are not effected by this potential policy change.

I believe some colleges, especially for borderline students, will look at grades for the second half of the year, and if there's a nosedive, they withdraw acceptances. Same goes for scholarships.

I also believe they minimum grade thing is from the same braintrust that changed the lowest letter grade from "F" to "U" because "F" hurts kids' self esteem. Every educator I ever tell that story to laughs, and says, "Are you KIDDING?!" And I'm talking about all kinds of districts with all kinds of students.

Gary, so what do you tell a student who gets early decision? Blow off the rest of the year? I've seen kids boast about "senioritis" in November. Those with strong character will always work and learn, but many shut down before Xmas.

Sure, withdrawal of acceptance is uncommon, but keep in mind the message these policies send. And by borderline, I meant conditional acceptance or wait-listed. Maybe I'm wrong...maybe no one cares once the acceptance is issued?

And what's next after no finals and a minimum grade of 60? No homework? Unlimited attempts at all assessments (like Cherry Hill)?

I will tell you this. As a current senior at bridgewater high school, I feel that we should be exempt from taking the finals in certain classes if a grade is maintained at a high level. granted the basement grades are not the smartest idea as the less hardworking are being provided incentive for little to no effort. However, those students who maintained an A- or higher, or possible even B+ given the level of difficulty of the classes, should be allowed to exempt. In an ideal world, all of your arguments make sense. However, when it comes time to the finals, most seniors have already enrolled in a college, and have proven that they have been committed until the end. Therefore, why force us seniors to engage in another exam that has no impact on our college chances, or on academic progress. At that point, "senioritis" takes over and there is little or no motivation regardless of class standing to excel in the exam. Only the minimum effort is taken to barely pass.

In my opinion, final exams for seniors with high grades throughout the year are both pointless and useless. They are not clear indicators for the understanding and comprehension of knowledge, nor do they show the true level of students' intellectual capabilities.

However, those below the grade previously mentioned should be forced to take the final exam. Finals should be non-exempt for students not excelling in classes.

For those who seem to be opposed to this proposal I ask the following question. What is the marginal cost of implementing what tantamounts to a rewards program? Motivation for performance? I would contend that is an inherent quality of the students we're talking about will continue to be motivated irrespective of this potential policy change. Grade inflation? The marginal contribution of 10% over the 4 years of high school has a nominal/irrelevant value to any long term objective your child may have; to include getting into a university. Life-lesson? I would hope parents in general don't need this one situation to instill a value set of work ethic into their children. On the other hand the benefits. Work hard and achieve objectives and you can/will get rewarded (just like in the "real world").

Not every decision/proposition an administration recommends is dooming your child for their years to come. Some (specifically this one) actually may prove just the contrary. Again, a great idea.