INNISFAIL - Alberta Education’s decision to have Grade 12 diploma exams weighted at 20 per cent of a student’s total final mark this school year is a good compromise and something that should be helpful in supporting student mental health, says Kurt Sacher, superintendent of the Chinook’s Edge School Division.
“It’s a logical progression, in my opinion, to go from 10 per cent to 20 per cent,” Sacher told the Albertan. “The students in Grade 12 who are writing exams, they would have been significantly impacted by the COVID disruption that we’ve all been experiencing. So to show respect for what they’ve been through, by tempering that expectation back to 20 per cent, makes good sense.
“For some students this will reduce their level of anxiety relative to that final mark. For most students, having a lower weighting they will appreciate that. Teachers don’t want their students to face unreasonable pressure with a weighting on the final exam that doesn’t feel right.
“The intent is definitely to help with their (students) level of anxiety and by doing so it will set them up for success going forward.”
Asked if teachers will have to do anything different in light of the decision to go with 20 per cent weighting, he said no.
Diploma exams are written for English 30 and 33, French 30, Social Studies 30 and 33, Mathematics 30 and 33, Biology 30, Chemistry 30, Physics 30 and Science 30.
Minister of Education Adriana LaGrange announced last week that the 2022-23 diploma exams will account for 20 per cent of a student’s final mark, an increase from last year’s weighting of 10 per cent. The rate was originally scheduled to increase to 30 per cent this school year.
“Changing the weight of diploma exams will reduce the burden on students while still giving them valuable exam writing experience. We’re making this temporary change to place less of a burden on students and improve their mental health,” LaGrange said in a statement.
NDP leader Rachel Notley reportedly said the diploma exam weighting should remain at 10 per cent for the 2022-23 school year.
“There are so many parts of our K-12 education system that are struggling to deliver the kind of education to our kids that we hope to have them receive, so that they can have the best start in the future,” said Notley. “That is not a time to actually ramp up testing. Quite the opposite. They should be ramping up resources, ramping up supports and delivering a better quality of education.”
Marilyn Dennis is president of the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA).
“ASBA is pleased that the government has reviewed high school diploma exam weighting as boards continue to focus on addressing student learning and mental health challenges,” Dennis said in a statement. “This will assist in relieving additional pressures while boards prioritize success of all students.”
Also in a statement, the Alberta Teachers' Association said, “To truly address missed learning opportunities, the government needs to address the conditions of the classroom: smaller classes, more supports, additional teachers and educational assistants, and, finally, make diplomas optional.”
Diploma exam weighting is expected to increase to 30 per cent for the 2023-24 school year.
