Upon receiving their planners at the start of the school year, some students may have noticed and been confused by the lack of time allocated for mid-terms. This may come as a happy surprise: MHS has decided to eliminate mid-terms for the 2014-2015 academic school year.
Mrs. Hladky, a member of the Exam Review Committee, a committee made up of a representative from each department, administrators, guidance and the Student/Principal Advisory Committee, explained the reasoning: “We have so much testing throughout the year, it’s difficult to set more time aside for mid-term testing.” Indeed, the amount of time allocated for state-mandated and national testing is becoming overwhelming for teachers: besides AP testing in May, there is PSAT testing in October, HSPA make-ups for seniors in March, the NJ Biology Competency Test in May, and the new PARCC testing which will occur in March over the course of five days. Along with all of these mandated tests, teachers are required to give SGOs (Student Growth Objectives) at the beginning and end of the year to indicate personal growth. These come in the form of pre and post-tests. Factoring mid-terms into the academic school year eliminates another week of academic instruction.
Though the school year may seem to drag on forever, teachers do not have as much time as they’d like to finish their curriculum. Mrs. Bergen, the Honors English 11 teacher, has “never once finished the curriculum. There just isn’t enough time.” Eliminating midterms will allow more time for instruction.
The Committee is also considering how to relieve the stress of Final Exams. There is undoubtedly a great deal of stress surrounding the last week of school and the committee is considering requiring cumulative final grades, or grades that consist of work done over the year. Those decisions, or any that are made, would not be enacted until the 2015-2016 academic year at the earliest.
In the meantime, enjoy the removal of mid-terms and a little less stress in your life.