IBNEWS Continued from page 4 one — that's the issue," said Lourenco, a Burlington resident. replace the exams, si tat with the board Point out that mai for classes do contain ex- am-style questions that are timed. Critics of that strat- claim that's not enou: For students going into university, many will be ing situations in their first year where a large percentage of their overall grade will come from a tra- ditional final exam. It's not unheard of for final exams to be worth as much as 50 per cent of a total grade. mco said she be- lieves many of the students at the board have not re- ceived adequate prepara- tion for the kind of conse- quential testing they will be exper the post- university experience. It's something these kids are ing experi even close to high stakes piece of their university education," said Lourenco. School board represen- tatives have sympathy about the issue. They also say that teachers are working with students around the board on exam- related skills like studying techniques and multiple- ice answering strate- oe Trustee Marvin Duarte understands the concerns of parents and students. "I do understand the challenges of going to uni- versity having kids who just went to university and, yes, the exams are go- ing to be tough and, ves, the universities are the effort to accommodate our students. Our students ‘i are do- secondary level. "I still don't think they're accustomed to the ing a good job, but we will try to do our best," said Duarte. "I don't know what = Oil & Filter (includes up to 6 litres regular oil.) - Complete top to bottom check over. - Installation of winter tires (already on rims) included. else our staff can do to make it better, but we will look at continuous im- provement. Superintendent Crowell said at the Nov. 16 board meeting that they are currently developing a webinar, which will be available in early 2022. EXTRAS - $5.00 Tim's Card - Windshield Washer Flui id - 12 Pack of Pop “This webinar willallow students to jam ann how exams are typicall: structured and what strat. egies can be used to pre- pare and study for oxams. This webinar ill shared through wchoots with parents as well as stu- dents and posted on our Graham Paine/ Metroland Maria Lourenco is among many parents who feel the Halton Catholic District School Board must bring back traditional final exams. board website," said Cro- of Critics argue that it's hard to replace the practi- cal effect of actually taking a traditional exam. By re- moving the formal exam, it has unfairly put local stu- dents in the position of heading off to university a1 UL |S significantly less prepared © ford the challenges they wil 3 3 “I feel like school boards § focus on things like ation rates. Well, “thats B great if you graduate hig] school. That's great. But it 2 Fa doesn't stop there, right? If 4 a you go off to university and = ou fail your first year 2 that's not success, and 8 these exams are just worth & too much," said Lourenco. STORY BEHIND THE STORY: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused enor- mous disruption all across society. We wanted to look at one smaller change the pandemic has caused and examine what that could mean for the region's youth. SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT THEIFP.CA 399355 Call for an Appointment syntnetic on *Most Vehicles. (up)to)6)litres) ya ye ya READERS’ READERS’ READERS’ | See 2021 [ CHOICE 2021 [ CHOICE 2021 ara wee amano Tanne vena NAPA U1 (@) 2) >{@) HASSELL AUTOMOTIVE SALES & SERVICE