Latest news with #finalexams
CTV News
6 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
OCDSB supervisor reintroducing grade 9 and 10 exams this school year
The provincially appointed supervisor for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) has sent his first letter to families, saying some changes are coming in the new school year, including final exams for students in grades 9 and 10. The Ontario government appointed Robert Plamondon to oversee the OCDSB in place of elected trustees in late June, after Ottawa's largest school board posted four straight deficit budgets, including a projected $9.2 million deficit this past school year. In a letter to parents and guardians on Wednesday, Plamondon said the operating challenges facing the board 'go beyond budgeting.' 'Despite the dedicated efforts of teachers and staff, confidence among parents in the OCDSB has declined. Many believe the board lost focus on the fundamentals of education — impacting both trust and student enrollment,' Plamondon wrote. He made three notable updates in his letter. The first, regarding the highly contested elementary program review, said conversations remain ongoing with the Ministry of Education, but he assured parents that 'no students will be required to move schools for the 2025–2026 school year.' Second, Plamondon said the board will be reinstating final exams for students in grades 9 and 10 starting this September. 'Although the OCDSB has had final evaluations in grades 9 and 10, those evaluations have not included a final exam, which will better prepare them for more consequential evaluations in grades 11 and 12,' he said. 'Following a review of our Student Success Days and feedback from teachers and parents, I have directed staff to reintroduce exams or summative assessments in grades 9 and 10, beginning in September 2025. This practice will ensure students are prepared for their next courses or post-secondary pursuits.' Finally, Plamondon said the board should remain open and responsive to students, their families, and the community, despite elected trustees being stripped of their decision-making authority. 'Supervision is not just a change in governance — it's an opportunity to move quickly and make the positive changes our students need and deserve,' Plamondon wrote, adding parents and guardians can contact him directly. It's not known how long Plamondon will remain as supervisor of the OCDSB. Education Minister Paul Calandra has said Palmondon will have 'whatever time is needed' in order to bring the budget back into balance and 'put them (the OCDSB) on a sustainable course to financial stability for years to come.'
CTV News
6 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
OCDSB supervisor reintroducing grade 9 and 10 exams this school year
The provincially appointed supervisor for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) has sent his first letter to families, saying some changes are coming in the new school year, including final exams for students in grades 9 and 10. The Ontario government appointed Robert Plamondon to oversee the OCDSB in place of elected trustees in late June, after Ottawa's largest school board posted four straight deficit budgets, including a projected $9.2 million deficit this past school year. In a letter to parents and guardians on Wednesday, Plamondon said the operating challenges facing the board 'go beyond budgeting.' 'Despite the dedicated efforts of teachers and staff, confidence among parents in the OCDSB has declined. Many believe the board lost focus on the fundamentals of education — impacting both trust and student enrollment,' Plamondon wrote. He made three notable updates in his letter. The first, regarding the highly contested elementary program review, said conversations remain ongoing with the Ministry of Education, but he assured parents that 'no students will be required to move schools for the 2025–2026 school year.' Second, Plamondon said the board will be reinstating final exams for students in grades 9 and 10 starting this September. 'Although the OCDSB has had final evaluations in grades 9 and 10, those evaluations have not included a final exam, which will better prepare them for more consequential evaluations in grades 11 and 12,' he said. 'Following a review of our Student Success Days and feedback from teachers and parents, I have directed staff to reintroduce exams or summative assessments in grades 9 and 10, beginning in September 2025. This practice will ensure students are prepared for their next courses or post-secondary pursuits.' Finally, Plamondon said the board should remain open and responsive to students, their families, and the community, despite elected trustees being stripped of their decision-making authority. 'Supervision is not just a change in governance — it's an opportunity to move quickly and make the positive changes our students need and deserve,' Plamondon wrote, adding parents and guardians can contact him directly. It's not known how long Plamondon will remain as supervisor of the OCDSB. Education Minister Paul Calandra has said Palmondon will have 'whatever time is needed' in order to bring the budget back into balance and 'put them (the OCDSB) on a sustainable course to financial stability for years to come.'
South China Morning Post
15-07-2025
- South China Morning Post
In South Korea, theft of exam papers puts focus on high-pressure education system
A teacher and a student's parent have been arrested in South Korea after allegedly breaking into a high school in the wee hours to steal final exam papers in a case that has renewed concerns over a decline in academic integrity and illegal tutoring. The incident took place at around 1.20am on July 4, when the teacher and the father of a reportedly high-performing student allegedly entered a high school in the city of Andong, North Gyeongsang province, according to police. They were helped by a school facilities manager who is also under arrest. The break-in was foiled when the school's security system was triggered. Police arrested the teacher shortly after, and she was detained on Monday following a pretrial hearing at a court in Daegu. The presiding judge cited the 'risk of destroying evidence and fleeing' as reasons for approving the detention. On Tuesday, the parent and the facilities manager were arrested after a separate court hearing. The parent, who is in his 40s, has been charged with trespassing and business interference, while the staff member is accused of enabling theft and unlawful entry into the school premises. Speaking to reporters before the hearing, the facilities manager said: 'I am sorry … I will cooperate fully with the investigation.' Investigators believe the trio had targeted exam materials stored at the school ahead of the final term exams. The daughter of the parent has reportedly consistently ranked at the top of her class, but it is yet to be determined whether her previous grades were linked to similar misconduct.
Khaleej Times
04-06-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Some UAE families scale back Eid Al Adha celebrations due to school final exams
Eid Al Adha celebrations in some students' homes in the UAE have been scaled back this year as their exams fall right after the four-day holiday to mark the Islamic festival. What was once a season filled with family visits, late-night gatherings, travel plans, and hotel bookings has, for many, been scaled down to brief visits and simple greetings. Final exams in public schools are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, June 10, immediately after Eid Al Adha, and will run through June 19 for students in Grades 3 to 12. The Eid break begins on Thursday, June 5 (Arafah Day), and ends on Sunday, June 8. Eid Al Adha falls on Friday, June 6, leaving little time between the celebrations and the start of final exams. The Ministry of Education has confirmed that end-of-year results will be released between June 30 and July 2. This tight timeline has left students and families torn between joy and stress, forcing them to reevaluate how they spend Eid. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Meanwhile, schools have begun offering intensive virtual academic support sessions, aimed at helping students prepare for the third-semester exams. School administrators describe these sessions as a valuable opportunity to enhance performance and boost confidence. Parents have been encouraged to support their children in attending, as the sessions directly impact their final results. According to parents interviewed by Khaleej Times, the two events — Eid Al Adha and final exams — coincide, leaving students and their families torn between joy and stress, as time for the usual meetings and activities is limited. Simple joy, considerable stress For Um Maha, an Emirati mother whose daughter attends a government school, this year's Eid is unlike any other. 'This year, the preparations weren't the same. I only bought simple clothes for my daughter. My focus has been entirely on her studies,' she said. She explained that exams are particularly challenging and require her full attention. 'I'll spend the entire day studying with my daughter, starting after noon on the first day of Eid and continuing until 9pm. That's the only way I can make sure she fully understands the material.' As for celebrations, she's keeping things minimal. 'I plan to attend just one family gathering, late on the second day of Eid. The rest of the time will be spent studying, from the first day until the exams begin.' She wishes the exam schedule had been arranged differently. 'Eid has its own joy, its own significance. It's not right to mix the happiness of Eid with the stress and pressure of studying,' she added. For Eman Alblooshi, a mother of four whose children study in government schools, the story is similar. 'This Eid comes at a somewhat sensitive time,' she said. 'I'm trying to experience the joy of Eid in a simple and balanced way. Finding time to rest, celebrate, and support my children with their studies.' Although the family still plans to visit relatives, the celebration feels lighter. 'My mind is preoccupied with exams. We'll enjoy ourselves, but the time will be shorter, and our focus will be divided. We'll even cut down on outings to make time for studying.' She expects many families to follow a similar path, 'Activities will be fewer. Most people will likely limit Eid plans to family lunches or brief visits. There's just no room for travel or full-day outings when exams are around the corner.' Students are also doing their best to navigate the overlap. Sheikha Hamad, a 12th grade student at a government school, believes that Eid can still be joyful with proper preparation. 'Eid is like any other Eid. There's no shortage of activities or joy,' she said. 'The secret is in the preparations before Eid. I make sure to study everything I need to, so after Eid, I only need to review. That way, I can enjoy the holiday without any regrets.' Still, the exam pressure is unavoidable. 'There's a little tension because I know I have to review and be ready. If anything changes, it's the late nights. Most people stay up late during Eid and disrupt their sleep schedule, but I'm planning to manage my sleep so I can stay focused and get everything done.'
CBC
02-06-2025
- Health
- CBC
1 exam, 50% of final grade. Students say Quebec must follow rest of Canada and change 'unfair' system
Social Sharing As students across the province get ready to write their ministerial exams, the pressure is high – and so are the stakes. Luca Di Fiore, a Grade 11 student, says the final exam feels like a judgment. "It seems unfair almost after everything you do throughout the entire year," he said. "To hear that one test that you do at the end of the year, irrespective of everything you've accomplished throughout the entire year, could just change everything for you [is unfortunate]." Quebec is the only province in Canada where some final exams account for 50 per cent of high school students' final grades. Some teachers and students have been pushing for change and wish to be heard. The province has standardized Grade 10 and 11 exams in French, English, mathematics, history and science – all worth between 25 and 35 per cent of final grades. But some, including history of Quebec and Canada and basic French as a second language, count for 50 per cent. Other Canadian provinces also administer standardized exams, but none are weighted as heavily. Quebec wasn't always the only province placing such emphasis on these exams. Alberta brought its equivalent – Diploma Exams – down to 30 per cent 10 years ago. Di Fiore explained that if students are unable to retain everything they learned during the year, it can make all their hard work feel "pointless" when it all comes down to just three hours. His classmate, Mia Beauchamp, shared that a poor exam result has the power to bring down her mood and her confidence and makes her doubt whether she'll pass the year. "I think it's very stressful because we can't remember it all. Teachers aren't expected to remember it all, why are we?" she asked. She believes the exam's weight should be reduced. Di Fiore proposed replacing the ministerial exam with monthly standardized tests from the ministry. Although he acknowledged the value in maintaining test uniformity to ensure consistent teaching across the province, he emphasized the need to discuss lowering the exam's weight. WATCH | Students, teachers want standardized testing to weigh less: Do ministerial exams count for too much in Quebec high schools? 9 minutes ago Duration 2:59 'Not the way the real world works' Paul Berry, a Grade 10 and 11 mathematics and history teacher at Options High School, is also advocating for a reduction in the final exam's weight. While he sees their importance, he argued they shouldn't hold the level of prominence currently given to them. "[The government treats] these exams like they're sacred texts and like they're the be-all and end-all," he said, adding that the experience is very heavy for many students. "There's nothing really in life where you're going to be facing that type of situation … It's just not the way the real world works." Berry and his colleagues work with many students who struggle with mental health and learning disabilities. He expressed concern over whether these students can effectively demonstrate their knowledge under such pressure. "For the most vulnerable students, it's really them who get hit the hardest," he said. Berry also views the situation as a sign of distrust in teachers, who spend their entire year with their students. "It shows a real lack of appreciation for the work that we do and a lack of concern for the real-life consequences that some of these students will face if they're not able to meet what the government considers to be the standard," he said. Current model limits teachers, some teachers say Michael Wadden, a Grade 10 and 11 history teacher at a high school in Montreal's West Island, remarked that it often feels like teachers are "teaching to an exam." He wishes he had more freedom to engage students through alternative methods – like a mock parliament, debates, analysis and reflection – but says those activities risk cutting into exam preparation time. Wadden argued that the current model limits students' ability to reflect, express their opinions and take a stance – skills he says all teachers would love to encourage them to develop, especially in a course that teaches Canadian and Quebec history. Around this time of year, he starts to see more absenteeism as students realize much of the classroom time will be dedicated to reviewing material they feel they can study on their own. Wadden also pointed out that some of his students are grappling with trauma and issues at home. "To have everything so dependent on one day and three hours is just not fair to these kids," he said. Wadden's colleague, Esther Ste-Marie, a Grade 7 social studies teacher, noted that even though her students don't yet write ministerial exams, teachers are already working hard to prepare them for Grade 10. Still, this year, she's trying something new: prioritizing a project-based approach and critical thinking. "It's been working well, but I still have at the back of my head … my students. They still need to be able to do a formal test because in Grade 10, they'll have to do it like everybody else," she said. Ste-Marie pointed out that this reality ties teachers to the responsibility of preparing students for ministerial exams. "The ministry is asking us to create those students ready for the 21st century skills to make them lifelong learners, to make them critical thinkers, but yet they're limiting us," she said. "We want them to think outside the box, but we're not allowing them to think outside the box." How Alberta's exam reform benefited students Jason Schilling, the president of the Alberta Teachers' Association, explained that the province's decision to make final exams worth 30 per cent instead of 50 significantly relieved pressure on students. "It also allowed me as a teacher to assess my students in a variety of different ways that would show what the students know more than necessarily sitting down and doing their reading comprehension in a written test in such a high stakes kind of moment," he said. "When it's not weighted as much or if it's not weighted at all, it does allow you flexibility to be more creative." Quebec Education Minister Bernard Drainville stated last week that he is not considering any changes. "Fifty per cent to ensure equality, to ensure that we can compare results from one school to the next, from one region to the next," he told reporters. But Di Fiore, while understanding Drainville's perspective, disagrees. "If we're talking about equality, if everybody's at 30 [per cent], that's still equality, right?" asked Di Fiore. "And why are students getting pressure put on them if the thing that we're attempting to evaluate with these [exams] is the school systems?" Di Fiore believes those affected by the current system deserve a voice in the decision. "If you're a doctor, you talk to your patient about what they're feeling," he said. "I think everybody should be involved in that conversation so we can get all perspectives." WATCH | Learn more about Quebec's plan to ban cellphones in schools: Full cellphone ban part of new 'civility' rules in Quebec schools 1 month ago Duration 2:43 New regulations will prohibit students in public and private schools from using electronic devices on school property as of September 2025. Quebec Education Minister Bernard Drainville hopes the regulation will lead to better concentration and socialization between students. The rules also set requirements for how students address teachers and staff.
