The exam schedule has been released to students. Exams will begin with a review session on December 10 and run through December 17.
After a strange exam schedule last year, Watauga High School will return to its typical format for upcoming exams on December 13-17. Upperclassmen have used this schedule in years past, but it is foregin to underclassmen.
According to Rachel Shepherd, assistant principal at WHS, state law requires exams to be administered on the last five days of the semester.
Last year, students were counted present from home during exam week on days where they did not have state exams. Students also got to take any teacher-made exams from the comforts of their own home.
“We were able [to] last year [to] do the thing where if you weren't taking an exam you didn’t come to campus,” Shepherd said. “We cannot do that [this year]. The only reason we were able to do that last year was because we needed smaller groups for testing, social distancing, all those kinds of things.”
On Friday, December 10 students will go to their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th blocks, then go to an extended 1st block at the end of the day. This extended block is similar to last year’s, but it is in person and all teachers will have one.
“The purpose of that is for teachers and students to be able to review any last minute content,” Shepherd said. “If there are teacher made exams it's an opportunity for teachers to do a project or presentation as their exam grade.”
Students are allowed to check-out during review blocks, but it will be counted as an absence. If students are checked-out, they should make sure that they do not exceed eight absences and remember three tardies equals one absence.
Exams are Monday, December 13 through Thursday, December 16 from 8:30 to 12:30 everyday. Extended review blocks are from 12:35 to 3:30. Keep in mind that these times can change and students are required to remain in their designated classroom if exams end later than expected. Friday, December 17 is a half day for students to meet with all four blocks.
“[On Friday, December 17] students will come back in, they meet with all their classes. We try to give them an opportunity to get their exam scores,” said Shepherd.
This is also a make-up exam day for students who missed their scheduled state exam. Students must schedule a make-up exam with the school as soon as possible, if needed.
“That is not a ‘free for all’ exam day,” Shepherd said.
If you cannot attend your scheduled exam day for a class, please call or email WHS administration to schedule your makeup exam. Good luck students on all of your upcoming exams!
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