High school students in Alberta have been informed by Alberta Education that they will not be required to write their provincial diploma exams in January. Instead, students have the option to take the exams in April or June. This decision follows concerns raised by students, parents, and teachers regarding the impact of a recent teachers’ strike that resulted in a loss of three weeks of course work.
In addition to postponing the exams, the province has also decided to cancel provincial achievement tests for Grade 9 students. Students who opt out of writing the January diploma exams will have their course marks determined solely based on their school work. These students will receive a notation on their transcripts indicating that the exam was not completed. The province assures that this will not negatively affect students’ university or college admissions prospects or their graduation eligibility.
The Alberta Teachers’ Association, who recently concluded a strike that lasted from October 6 until being legislated back to work, supported the decision to cancel the January exams. Jason Schilling, president of the ATA, emphasized that students should not face repercussions for circumstances beyond their control, similar to the challenges seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The cancellation of the January exams was initially announced in a news release on Thursday but was later retracted. Tim Coates, a retired director of diploma examinations for the Alberta government, highlighted the challenge faced by Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides in finding a suitable solution. Coates emphasized the importance of maintaining equity in evaluating students, as exempting some from the exams could create disparities in grading.
Some students, like Rishmanjot Singh, a Grade 12 student in Calgary, expressed relief at the province’s decision. Singh initiated a petition urging for the exams to be made optional, citing concerns about insufficient time to catch up on course materials. The petition garnered nearly 30,000 signatures by Friday night, reflecting the sentiments of students and parents grappling with academic challenges amidst the disruptions caused by the strike.