By SHEA GANG
Procedures for using the testing room to make up missed exams have been updated now requiring that students pre-register electronically in order to make use of this service.
Prior to this, students only had to discuss with their teachers what time and day they would take their exams. There was no limit on the amount of students who could be in the testing room at once. And in rare occurrences every seat was filled.
Junior Joey M. recalls multiple times when he went to the testing room and saw students being turned away due to lack of space. “Multiple times I’ve gone down to the testing room and I’ve seen other people been turned away or I’ve been deferred myself since there was no room.”
This raised multiple concerns for administrators. Assistant Principal Dr. Finley explained that she received many complaints from students and teachers that the testing room was sometimes chaotic and not efficient.
Timing was also an issue with some students not starting their tests until 3:40 and having to miss the late bus. Jericho Principal Mr. Cohen said, “There were some days that 40 to 50 kids would show up to the testing room and it could take 15 minutes just to set students up to take their tests.”
This was not the only reason that administrators decided to change the old testing room system. Over the summer Mr. Cohen, Dr. Finley and Mr. Cummings looked through past years’ testing room attendance and observed that there were some students who made use of the testing room too frequently raising concerns about fairness, equity, and those students’ well-being since the goal is that all students take their assessments with their teachers in their classrooms.
Now in order to schedule an appointment for the testing room, a student must sign up through a Google form and select the time and date they would like to make up their exam. Spaces are limited to 25 per session and students must sign up at least 2 periods before the end of the day.
Dr. Finley and Mr. Cohen believe that this will help to make the testing room less crowded and more efficient. When students arrive at the testing room, their exams are ready for them when they walk in instead of having to wait on a long line.
Student’s must now sign up for the testing room using the Google form offered through Canvas.
Students and faculty are very happy with this new change and think it will benefit everyone involved. English teacher Ms. Garguillo said, “I think that the new testing room is a great idea and will stop large amounts of students from crowding the testing room right before a long break or vacation.”
Junior Natalie B. is pleased with how the new procedure has restored a sense of calm. She said, “It’s definitely better than last year because it was so much more chaotic last year.”
Others miss the impromptu nature of the old system. Junior Samara B. preferred being able to just show up to the testing room without pre-registration.
Students who wish to make use of the new system can access the Google Form on Canvas by clicking on the course called “AM/PM Testing Room.”