Many York Students Never Take Finals: Officials

ELMHURST, IL – Many students at York High School have never taken final exams, which concerns some Elmhurst District 205 board members.

At Tuesday's board meeting, member Jim Collins said he recently spoke with a group of juniors and seniors and discovered they have never taken final exams. He described them as "terrified" that this lack of experience would hurt them in college.

"When I was talking to these kids, I couldn't believe what I was hearing," Collins said. "What kid wants to take another test, but they were seriously concerned that this was a gap in their experience and that they were not being set up for success in college as well as we could possibly set them up."

Years ago, York students had finals in every class, even gym, Collins said. He said he wouldn't suggest requiring an exam in every class or during seniors' second semester.

Collins recommended the district require final exams in certain classes – for instance, those in math and science – as a stopgap measure for next year. He also suggested a policy in which finals could only help students' grades but not hurt them.

Member Kara Caforio agreed with the idea of a stopgap measure for finals next year. She said such exams help with students' "executive functioning," particularly because finals operate on a different schedule.

Both Caforio and Collins said their college-age children are taking final exams in some of their classes.

Superintendent Keisha Campbell said the district was "100 percent on it" with issues such as final exams.

"There is an opportunity to continue to engage with colleges and universities to understand what the experience is when (students) get there," she said.

The comments were part of a discussion about the revised student handbook. The board voted unanimously for the document.

Member Courtenae Trautmann said her vote was "a very hesitant yes."

"I do not feel the handbook is reflecting accuracies," she said. "I'm going to hold you to the fact that you will come back to reevaluate these things and trust that will happen."