So for those of you who don't know - here is what is required to apply for a semester exam exemption:
- 9 week average of 90%+ in the course.
- ZERO missing assignments in the class.
- No significant disciplinary referrals during the semester.
- No more than 5 absences for ANY reason during the semester.
THIS IS A TOUGH EXEPMTION TO ACHIEVE! That is done intentionally. Overall, I think this is a fine policy on a trial basis.
My cautionary tale would be, monitor how many semester exams a student is not required to take.
This policy is MUCH more difficult to achieve than decades ago when I was in high school at Hamilton Heights. Principal (and later State Representative) Tony Cook instituted a policy regarding semester exam exemptions when I was a freshman. His policy was much easier to apply for: An A average in the course for both 9 weeks (A...not A-...was 95%+) OR perfect attendance (no absences to school, no tardiness to school and not being tardy to any class). We were on an 8 period day everyday when I was in high school. I didn't take a semester exam until my junior year (world history) and two my senior year (chemistry and Algebra II) I felt terribly unprepared to take 5 final exams each semester my freshman year of college. Many of the students before me and in my class felt the same way. Mr. Cook moved on to become principal of Noblesville High School shortly after I graduated, and Hamilton Heights did away with the semester exam exemptions.
Overall, I don't have a problem with this policy as long as it is monitored and evaluated periodically.