Finals have been a crucial part of every high schooler’s career. Now things have changed. After switching from a traditional grading system to standards based grading, West Salem High School decided to cut finals. According to Mr. Nelson WSHS decided to cut finals because the change fits with the standards based grading system. If the student already mastered the skill by receiving a 3, why should they have to test on it again?

 “Not having finals has taken a lot of stress off my shoulder especially during senior year,” says Emily Sanwick. 

Sanwick also sees a potential downside.  “I think it’s not fair that the freshmen never have to experience finals. I feel like they help shape you into a good student and actually recall information you have been taught.”

 Without having a typical finals week, WSHS is just having a switch to second semester with no real final closing. Some classes will wrap up the week with the last unit test, where others will stop right through a unit since many of the students will take the same course during the second semester. “From what I have heard about finals from my older sisters is that they are really stressful,” says Freshman William Clements. “I am really happy it’s something I don’t ever have to worry about.” 

From the teacher perspective, not having a strict finals schedule is preferred by many. “It puts a lot less stress on us to have everything graded in one day,” says English teacher Ms. Propson. “Having a final during a set amount of time is also very tricky. If a kid feels test pressure and really rushed during that time it’s hard to get that evidence of them learning, so I do like that switch away from having that end final.”