Exemptions. The system’s way of rewarding good attendance. Exemptions are strict but they are beneficial to the student body. They promote good grades and perfect attendance. Breaking it down more simply, students who have all A’s can have three absences and are exempt from their exams, students with B’s can have two, students with C’s can have one and students with D’s cannot have any absences. This strict but fitting schedule decides whether or not students will be taking their finals. Exempt students can still take the final if they want more points for their grade. 

I think the system works well and is a positive policy. I know that some students may dislike it but at least they have one at all compared to some schools and counties who do not have exam exemptions.

I, for one, like the idea of exam exemptions even though I have never been exempt. I see the benefits for students to have this option. Exams and finals are extremely stressful and can be hard on teens, so those who have put in the effort for their grades and maintained their attendance, they have a way to get out of taking the exams.

Students may complain and dislike the exemptions, but a large majority of those who dislike it are those who are not exempt. If they are not exempt it is on those students for usually one of two reasons: they either do not have the grades to be exempt or they do not have the attendance to be exempt.

If the student is too sick to attend school then they will need to maintain their grades so that they will have good grades by the end of the semester. That is just how it is. If they miss too much school then they have to take their exams. Exempting is really good for students but it also is not the main focus for students. Students’ main focus should be their grades, not how many days they miss or whether they are exempt or not.

While I understand the basic premise for the need for the exemption policy as it supports having good attendance and keeping high grades which is good for the school body, the exemption policy itself does also have many drawbacks.  This policy affects the students who are succeeding in school by forcing them to take exams no matter the reason for their absence. 

How is that fair? 

I understand that a specific rule is in place to prevent tardiness and people skipping school and in that case, I do think it is fair to count against that person’s attendance. However students are prone to miss school no matter how much they apply themselves, and I feel in many cases it can prevent students from experiencing important events or being punished for experiencing vital parts of their life. If someone’s religion doesn’t align with the already set school calendar and they are absent on a school day to spend time with their family, how is it fair to reduce their chance to be exempt just because of their religion? Or if a student has an illness that often interferes with their attendance but they still can complete their work while being absent from school, is it fair to require them to do an exam that they have been forced to take because they missed too many days? 

This is a fatal flaw in the system that often ends up making or breaking a student’s overall GPA and I can only hope some kind of compromise or revisement can help make the exemption policy more inclusive for the diverse groups of students that make up Sparkman High School.