The student handbook says that students who have missed four or more days of a class, even if they maintain an A average for the semester, have to complete the final exam. This policy is relatively unfair and should be revised to consider individual circumstances. A rigid rule penalizes students for situations that may be out of their control and undermines the value of consistent effort and academic achievement.

Not all absences are created the same. Students may miss school due to family emergencies, sickness, appointments, and other important circumstances. These are legitimate reasons, and students should not be punished for these absences if they maintain their grades and keep up with their required school work. Holding them to the final exam, despite their great efforts, only puts them in a negative situation. They are being pushed to meet expectations that they have already surpassed.

Making students with A’s to take final exams is also unnecessary. Their grades have already demonstrated mastery of the material. The time spent preparing for these exams could be utilized for important projects, helping their peers achieve their goals, or studying for the next step in their academic career.

Students who excel in academics should be rewarded for their achievements rather than being punished. If a student consistently attends school, with the exception of the four days they missed, and completes all of their work, they shouldn’t need to take the final exam. Punishing the student only sends them negative messages about their performance. These actions lead students to believe that they didn’t push themselves and that their accomplishments mean nothing. Students can become discouraged and less motivated to do well in school. Revisions should be made to the student handbook so that administrators reconsider reasons for absences.

Despite exams, attendance is important and students should try their best to always attend school. Attendance is really important to further a student’s education and productivity. Instead of immediately putting all of the blame on students and enforcing stressful rules onto students, administrators should look into a student’s absence and come to a compromise. Maintaining good grades, and especially A’s, is relatively difficult and should be rewarded. Many students struggle in school even if they attend everyday. So, for someone to miss a few days of school and still surpass academic expectations is impressive. Administrators need to address the issue, observe how current issues are impacting the school, and collaborate with each other to come to a solution.