MHPSD urges province to suspend diploma exams until pandemic is over

The provincial announcement comes this week as Medicine Hat Public School Division (MHPSD) urges the Education Minister to fully suspend diploma exams until the pandemic is over.

That communication was sent in a letter on Wednesday to Minister LaGrange on behalf of MHPSD Board Chair Rick Massini.

Massini says there are so many factors adding to an already stressful year and uncertain situation for students and teachers.

“We are working in “near normal” conditions as is the case in scenario one. Near normal is still not normal. We’ve created strategies to address the issues of the pandemic, and in doing so, we’ve actually affected the learning environment for the students. We are committed to academic rigor and our students developing a deep understanding and a quality learning experience for kids.”

Some of the adjustments this school year include the new quarter semester system in high school; which is creating longer class periods.

Massini says that also makes it more difficult for students to process more information or catch up if they miss a class.

“You need time to understand and internalize the information that’s being presented to you. Well, when the class is 2 and a half or 2 hours and 40 minutes long, it’s like drinking water from a fire hose, you just can’t take it all in.”

Massini says the board is not alone in their thinking about cancelling diploma exams.

“We value diploma exams, they serve a purpose and they’re helpful to us as well. But given the circumstances, we’re just saying eliminate the diploma exams. Our teachers are working harder than they’ve ever worked to try and create excellent learning environments for our students. But the fact is the focus has changed from learning to a focus on teaching. And we’ve moved away from that years ago.”

He also doesn’t feel the data received from the exams would be accurate.

“I think it would be skewed because of all of the factors associated with the pandemic, the economic, and the mental health situation that we have in Medicine Hat,” Massini told Chat News.

Superintendent Mark Davidson says they are now communicating with families to make sure they understand the choice that’s available.

To plan ahead, the division still needs to order exams for students who intend to write the diploma.

The deadline for the division to order exams is Tuesday, October 20.

Diploma course level teachers will give students a survey on Friday, October 16, and Monday, October 19 to gather exam numbers.

Students will have 3 options to choose from:

1. Yes, I plan to write the exam.

2. No, I will not write the exam.

3. I need more time to decide.

Davidson says students can decide right until the date of their diploma whether or not they will write the exam or choose to opt-out.

“Essentially if you don’t write it the student is automatically exempted. Normally there’s an exemption process where you have to apply based on a specific circumstance around health or an emergency that couldn’t be avoided. And this circumstance what they’re saying is if you don’t come to write that exam then you’re automatically exempted and you’ll be awarded the teacher developed mark for the term,” Davidson said.

However, there are some situations that still require that a student writes a diploma exam.

That government information can be found by visiting this link.

Communication about the November diploma exam exemption can be found by visiting the MHPSD website.

by Chantal Wagner

MHPSD urges province to suspend diploma exams until pandemic is over

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