Over 1,000 Advanced Placement (AP) examinations were passed at West Shore last year, with the school holding the highest average exam pass rate among Brevard Public high schools. Performance on AP exams is something that has long been stressed at this school, and with a recent attendance policy change, students will now have one less point of pressure on exam day. For the first time in Wildcat history, students will be excused from school on days they take AP course exams. This decision emphasizes the importance of both academic success and a healthy lifestyle to West Shore students.
The school has a culture and history of prioritizing academic achievements among its student body, with students being encouraged to not only take rigorous AP courses, but to excel in them. Instruction typically ends weeks before dreaded AP tests, leaving time to review, plan, and prepare for end-of-year exams. Students take time out of their already busy schedules to study for their exams in hopes of earning college credit, and it pays off.
On test day, there is a general checklist of recommendations for students to do to ensure their best performance on exams: getting plenty of sleep, eating a healthy breakfast, and wearing comfortable clothes. For students with afternoon exams, going to school in the morning often seems like an optional addition to the list. By removing required attendance, students are no longer being punished for prioritising their performance on exams. This allows students to properly prepare and be in a positive headspace when they walk into their exam, avoiding distractions from busy work or conversations in prior classes.
Focused students earn higher test scores, which benefits both students and the school. When students pass their exams, they are more likely to receive college credit for their work in their classes, saving them both time and money when they enter university. This also helps to bring more funding to the school and its teachers. According to Section 1011.62, Florida Statutes, teachers should receive $50 for every exam their students pass. This provides much-needed funding and benefits to teachers who teach effectively and help students pass their exams. By allowing students to focus on their exams, the school is prioritizing the prosperity of its students and faculty.
A policy of excused school absences during exam season may appear to discourage learning time among students, but this is not the reality of curriculum scheduling. Most courses end before AP exams, leaving students with little to do for the final two to three weeks of the school year. Their time may be better spent at home than in classrooms with no instruction left, which effectively serve as nothing more than a study hall. Students are still allowed to attend school when they wish, meaning that this policy only affects those who wish to leave school during these free periods.
One way that teachers are making use of the optional attendance policy during exam days is through study sessions before afternoon exams. Economics teacher Austin Glezen made it a priority for students to have the opportunity to meet and study as a class in the cafeteria before their AP Macroeconomics and Microeconomics exams. He attributed this decision to his prior experiences with pre-exam review sessions, saying that they had an extremely positive impact on his AP exam performance throughout his high school career.
“I had it in high school where I could not come to school and show up for my exam, and my teacher also was one that decided to do a study session before,” Glezen said. “I kind of attributed that to my passing the exam, because I wasn’t the best student in ninth grade, taking AP Human Geography. That helped me center my thoughts and concentrate on the most important topics.”
One stipulation of this change is that students must make pragmatic choices with their new freedom to decide whether to attend school or not. By using their time well, students may effectively prepare for their exams and limit wasted time in classes that are finished for the year. However, if students choose not to use their time wisely, they may fall behind in classes or even score lower on exams. This is also an important responsibility to keep in mind if students wish to continue this policy into future years, because the possibility of making this change permanent hinges on the reaction and decisions of current West Shore students, most especially the juniors and seniors who are most likely to be affected by such an adjustment.
This policy change reflects a shift in West Shore culture over the last year, recognizing the health of students as being represented by more than just their attendance rates. Allowing students to decide how they prepare for their AP tests on exam day gives them more freedom to prioritize their health and remove unwanted distractions. By removing attendance requirements, the school is reinforcing both academic performance and a commitment to student wellness.
In line with this, principal Burt Clark said, “I want the students to be able to make the best decision for them.”
