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Students press Hamtramck board to change grading and late-arrival policies, cite test weighting and lost instruction time
Summary
Several Hamtramck High School students told the board that new grading weights (tests worth up to 70%) and a strict late-arrival policy that sends late students to the auditorium are harming motivation and removing instructional time; students urged the board to revise policies to reflect daily work and reduce penalties.
Multiple students spoke during public comment at the Hamtramck School District board meeting, urging changes to the district's grading system and its late-arrival policy.
Erna Balia, a junior at Hamtramck High School, told the board that summative assessments and tests being grouped to make up "70% of our grade" are unfair because they allow a single test to undo consistent daily effort. "Grades should represent more than test performance," she said, asking the board to "make the system more fair so grades truly represent our effort, progress and understanding."
Other students including Marina Shaw and Lake Mohammed described similar experiences: they said formative work (homework, classwork, participation) carries far less weight and that students with test anxiety or who have a bad single exam can see grades drop precipitously. Lake Mohammed said he and teachers he spoke with believe tests should make up "about 20 to 30% of a student's grade." Several students said the policy originated last year but felt stricter this year.
Students also raised concerns about the late-arrival policy at Hamtramck High, saying students arriving after the posted time were sent to the auditorium for the full first hour — losing instruction — and that enforcement can include after-school detention. One student described walking in heavy rain and still being kept out of class and expressed worry that the auditorium period is not productive time for students. Board members asked follow-up questions, and staff said the policy is set at the principal level.
Board leaders thanked students for speaking, invited them to share further ideas and said staff would follow up on concerns. The board did not take an immediate policy vote at the meeting but encouraged students to email the administration and attend future meetings.
