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

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB)has cancelledfinal 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 theirprofessionaljudgment to decide on the appropriate activities that best allow students to demonstrate their learning,andscheduledexam days willbe used to provide additional opportunities for students to complete assignments."'

In a phone interview on Wednesday morning,Figueiredosaid he began receiving questions in Octoberabout final exams. He said the plan was to made the decision this month, and adds that alarge factor into cancelling examswas 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."

Graduation requirements have also been eased in three other ways.

The Ministry of Educationhalvedcommunity service hours from 40 hours to 20 hours. Those still struggling to reach 20 hours of community involvement can speak to their school principals or guidance offices.

The province also decided Grade 10 literacy testwon't be mandatory this year either. Itwill be donenext springfor Grade 10students andstudents graduating in future years.

The final change is to the Grade 9 EQAOtest. The results won't be used as part of a student's final course mark in math unless the student and teacher agree on it because EQAO is testing a new format this year.

Hamilton's Catholic school board runs on an octomester which has no final exams, It still requires students to attain 40 Christian Service hours, but Pat Daly, the board's chair, said families struggling to get the hours can speak with their school principal.

The changes to graduation requirementscame justhours after the province said it was considering an extended holiday break orstarting classes remotely in the new year as it mulls over how toreduce COVID-19 transmission after the holidays.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce later said an extended break isn't needed.

The changes to HWDSB high schoolsalso followsprovincial directions in mid-October to begin planning for a potential pivot to full online learning, whether it be for one school or all their schools across the board.

Figueiredopreviously outlined HWDSB's plan, which included asking parents to complete surveys about how prepared they were to switch to online learning, but this new message also revealsthe province allowed school boardsto adjust theirgraduation requirements.