Your bookmarked countries have an update since your last login. View Bookmarks x

Emergent News

HWDSB cancels final exams, eases high school graduation requirements amid 'uncertainty'

Mar 4, 2021, 12:18 PM
The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) has cancelled final exams and the province has eased graduation requirements for high school students. Students grades will be based on specific learning activities and assignments throughout the semester.
Title : HWDSB cancels final exams, eases high school graduation requirements amid 'uncertainty'
Source : CBC
External URL : https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/hwdsb-cancels-final-exams-high-school-covid-19-1.5806053

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) has cancelled final exams and the province has eased graduation requirements for high school students this year "to reflect the realities of learning and attending school during the uncertainties of a pandemic."

In a message to families on Tuesday evening, the board's director of education, Manny Figueiredo, said the changes were made after listening to feedback from families, students and educators.

"Instead, student grades will be based on the specific learning activities and assignments throughout the semester and any final activities that demonstrate overall learning," he wrote.

"Teachers will use their professional judgment to decide on the appropriate activities that best allow students to demonstrate their learning, and scheduled exam days will be used to provide additional opportunities for students to complete assignments."'

In a phone interview on Wednesday morning, Figueiredo said he began receiving questions in October about final exams. He said the plan was to made the decision this month, and adds that a large factor into cancelling exams was a concern for student mental health.

"The mental health and anxiety some kids are experiencing around this uncertainty and learning in different modalities ... for some students, it was creating more anxiety for them."

BE A PART OF THE CONVERSATION. JOIN THE AACRAO EXCHANGE. JOIN NOW

Upcoming AACRAO Events

On-Demand Learning

Self-Paced | Online

Self-paced courses aligned with our competency and proficiency framework, AACRAO's on-demand training will build your skills and enhance your resume. 

Courses in:

  • Compliance
  • FERPA
  • International
  • and more

Learn More

SEM_2020_1440x400 update

The International Institute

The AACRAO International Institute covers promising practices for the evaluation of international credentials that combines AACRAO’s On-Demand International Series with five, two-hour, virtual instructor-led training sessions.

Learn More
AACRAO International Institute Banner