Over the past summer, the MCPS Board of Education decided that it would take final exams out of the schedule, and many questioned what would occur as a result. In result,quarterly assessments called RQAs have been implemented, and the grading system is now based on a two quarter trending system.
Knowing this, students who got an A or a B first quarter have ended up slacking off in second quarter, getting a B or a C the next quarter because they know they’ve already secured the higher grade.his has ended up frustrating teachers as a result, because they don’t feel like the students are learning anything when they aren’t trying.
“I definitely liked last year’s grading system better,” English teacher Jenelle Peterson said, “When someone gets a great grade in my class, I want them to keep getting those great grades, but then I notice that they’re underperforming, and I think that it has to do with this year’s system.”
The whole grading system changed after complaints final exams causing students to have anxiety issues or be overly stressed, and even staying up late to study which is making students sleep deprived and tired the next day. After taking away the final exams, a project or smaller test was introduced for each class.
“I think having more data in which to base grades, like final exams is a good idea,” History teacher David Uhler said, “and I’m generally not in favor of the new system.”
Students have been split on the new grading system based on their previous support for final exams.
“If you do the homework, the RQA won’t hurt your grade as bad,” junior Allison Druhan said, “When we had final exams, if you did poorly your grade was affected more than RQAs.”
Some students liked the exams though, and thought they were better preparing for an exam rather than spend multiple days on a project.
“I liked the exams because we had no homework and we got to go home earlier during exam week to study,” junior Kevin Good said.
There’s been multiple changes that have occurred within the MCPS education system because of complaints from parents, teachers, and students. Complaints from teachers and students may help change the system for the better.
