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Committee reviews senior exam exemption pilot and upward AP scores; attendance cited as key limiter
Summary
Presentation showed the two‑year pilot for senior final‑exam exemptions remains popular but eligibility fell this year due to unexcused absences; AP participation and scores rose, with 85% of AP exams scoring 3+ this year.
School leaders reviewed data on a two‑year pilot allowing seniors to exempt final exams and presented Advanced Placement exam outcomes.
Mr. Leet told the committee the exemption program’s participation dipped this year in part because the senior class was smaller and because students with unexcused absences lost eligibility. He emphasized the program’s intent—allowing students who have demonstrated mastery to skip a final while encouraging attendance: "attendance ... is hurting it," he said.
Administrators also reported AP results improved: the district moved from roughly 81% of AP exams scoring a 3 or better to about 85% this year while offering more course seats. Committee members praised broad AP access but raised concerns about overloading students; members discussed caps on the number of weighted AP courses seniors may take, and a suggestion to decouple extra course weighting as an option for students seeking more courses.
The committee asked staff to continue monitoring attendance effects on exemption eligibility and to report back with corrected data where numbering anomalies were identified.
No formal action was taken on the exemption policy; the exemption program remains under the practices reviewed.
