Every year the high spirits and excitement of VHS students coming off break are shattered as the dreaded mid-term exams lurk around the corner.  However, future VHS students may be able to breathe easier as indications are that the monster of midterms may be slain in the near future.

“Taking a test on a half years’ worth of information and then having this grade hold (disproportionate) weight in final averages puts too much unnecessary stress on students,” explains VHS junior Nicola Perzichilli. On average, students at VHS have four midterm exams, and along with second marking period work and due dates for regular academic work, students basically have only three “free” days to cram for exams.  In the past few years, administrators have taken into consideration students’ grumblings and have begun to consider and discuss alternatives.

“The math portion of the SAT, arguably the most important and influential test of your life, is a total of 55 minutes, while each midterm is two hours,” observes VHS math and computer science teacher Rich Wertz, making the point that these two-hour tests may not be necessary. Mr. Wertz is one of the main proponents to end midterms as he believes that they are a waste of valuable time.  Between review periods, testing days, and make up exams, students, especially those in AP classes, lose out on much-needed class time.  He, as well as other critics of the current system, back a plan to implement hour-long in-class tests given at the end of each marking period, called quarterlies, to avoid losing time in the class and to give students a more manageable amount of material to study.

However, there are those who still see value in the current system.

“I believe exams are a good dress rehearsal for college as they fortify test taking skills” says VHS librarian Anthony Neglio.  High school is meant to prepare students for the future,  and in college courses exams may account for as much as 50 percent of a student’s final grade.  Students complaining about Verona’s midterm policy may not realize that the school’s intentions are to ultimately help students succeed after high school.

Teachers and administrators at Verona High School hold varied opinions regarding midterm exams; however, all students share a common hatred for the tests.  Luckily for students, it seems as though change is on the way.