Did the end of marking period one feel different this year? A little underwhelming? Upperclassmen and RIH faculty are used to a cramped and definitive end of the marking period, marked by the infamous “quarterly week.” The “quarterly week” was the last week before the end of the marking period and was flooded with multiple project deadlines, looming exams, and stressed students. This year, however, the air of dread surrounding the school during the end of the marking period was seemingly absent—largely due to the removal of the district’s quarterly system.
For the 2024-2025 school year, the RIH Board of Education has temporarily revised the Student Assessment Schedule to eliminate quarterlies. Quarterlies were projects or exams in core subjects held at the end of each marking period, counting for 20% of a student’s final marking period grade. According to the “October 2024 RIH Highlights & Happenings,” the suspension of quarterlies will give the RIH Board of Education time to research and gain valuable insights into the most effective strategies to foster student growth and achievement. The goal of the Board of Education is to, overall, use their collected observations from this school year to implement an enhanced assessment model, which meets and addresses the needs of students. However, did the Indian Hills community feel that having no quarterlies was better? And what would their ideal assessment model be?
Indian Hills students have varied opinions regarding the removal of quarterlies and cumulative tests in general. Grace Dietrich, a senior at Indian Hills, has “mixed feelings about the past quarterly system.” Dietrich continues, “While it was nice to [sometimes] have a grade booster at the end of the marking period, I didn’t like how one test could make or break a grade… Having quarterlies removed this year elevated a lot of stress… However, I have noticed that teachers tend to give a quarterly-like assignment regardless, just with less of an impact on our grades.” Callie Taylor, another senior at Indian Hills, has a different viewpoint: “I liked the quarterly system. In terms of math classes, I felt like the quarterly exams were easier and a grade booster. Now I feel like teachers are just replacing the quarterlies with the same projects and tests just harder and for less weight. I honestly wish the quarterly system was back in place.” Students believe that although the weight of quarterlies has been removed, teachers are still giving quarterly-like assessments and projects in place of them.
However, students are not the only opinions that should be considered when determining the impact and effectiveness of the quarterly system. Math teacher Mrs. Hausch says, “In regards to the past quarterly system, I was not a fan. I felt that this assessment process was doing a disservice to the students and not preparing them for what is expected of them in college… Now that the quarterlies have been removed there is no finality to the marking period. Once the material for the first marking period was covered I just continued to move on. It honestly felt weird.” Mrs. Hausch goes on to discuss the cumulative testing she believes would best help the students and district, “I, along with many of my colleagues, prefer the midterm and final assessment schedule at the high school level. When we had done this years back, students would come in to take the one or two exams that they had scheduled for that day and then leave… I truly believe there needs to be some form of assessing on a good chunk of material to better prepare the students for what the college experience is like.”
The Indian Hills Community is seeking another change in the assessment schedule, regardless of their respective viewpoints on what that change may entail. It is equally important for students to be challenged and prepared for their future while also maintaining their mental wellness. Hopefully, the Board of Education will allow for these perspectives and others when it comes to their decision for the 2025-2026 school year assessment schedule.
