With the first semester now behind us, we can take a moment to reflect on one important issue: finals.

How many classes are still doing finals?

It is up to whether or not finals are still important to learning. Is there a general opinion?

Teachers are the main decision-makers when it comes to finals and whether they are needed or not.

According to multiple sources, Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) decide within themselves whether a specific class will have a final.

A PLC is a group of teachers who all teach the same class. For example, all of the U.S History teachers make up a PLC and decide on the material to teach between all their classes.

The question of whether or not finals are meaningful to teaching and learning has created a variety of views from both teachers and students.

Scott Szevery is a U.S history teacher as well as the head of the history department at MHS. Szevery did not have a final to end off the first semester but will have a final at the end of the school year.

“It is worthwhile to have an assessment at the end of a semester that really gives you a sense as a teacher and as a school district how much did the students really learn this semester,” Szevery said. He said he believes that it is worthwhile to have finals to test how well students have learned the material, especially in year-long or AP classes.

Szevery trusts that each PLC will make a decision that benefits their students, so it is up to each PLC to decide whether finals work in each class.

He said that it’s justified if there are no finals for the first semester.

Ryan Thornhill, head of the science department at MHS, said he usually has his students complete a final project rather than a cumulative test.

He believes that whether finals happen depends on the class and PLC. If finals don’t work for that class, then there should be no finals.

Sam Mccandless, junior, said he doesn’t believe finals are necessary.

He said that throughout the semester, a student has multiple chances to prove that they have learned the material. Although, it is up to the teachers to decide whether or not their class
has a final, he said.

Not all students share McCandles’ feelings.

Colin Brokhyser, freshman, said he believes finals are necessary for both students and teachers.

“I think a final is necessary to take data over how a student has learned and grown throughout the semester,” said Brokhyser.

Brokhyser also said finals are important to help teachers find out which students might be struggling. This can help a teacher assist that student in the next semester.

Everyone has differing opinions on whether or not finals should happen and how they should be managed. Changes will come and go and, who knows, we might not have finals eventually. Whatever happens, is for the teachers and the school district to decide, but students can make their voice heard in this debate.