Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
Men's Softshell Hooded Jacket Buy Now
BZB Women's Ribbed Tank Tops Buy Now
Multifunctional Cleaning Kit Buy Now
Anne Klein AK/3702 Watch Buy Now
PRETTYGARDEN Women's Summer Maxi Dress Buy Now
Plus Size Colorblock Tank Top Buy Now
Satin Silk Pajama Set for Women Buy Now
Chantomoo Women's Corduroy Slippers Buy Now
10" Android Tablet Buy Now
Womens High Waist Yoga Pants Cutout Ripped Leggings Buy Now
Women Bunion Shoes Buy Now
Calvin Klein Bella Crossbody Buy Now
Business Casual Men Blazer Buy Now
SAMPEEL Crop Tops Buy Now
Stanley The IceFlow Buy Now
2-Pack High-Waist Yoga Leggings Buy Now
Haggar Cool 18 Classic Fit Pants Buy Now
SAMPEEL Women's Eyelet Tank Tops Buy Now
2 Pieces Summer Beach Outfits Buy Now
Echo Dot (3rd Gen) Charcoal Buy Now
MoreBack to News Headlines
Alberta students, educators want mandatory tests and diploma exams cancelled amid 4th wave

Alberta students, educators want mandatory tests and diploma exams cancelled amid 4th wave

CBC
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 11:27 AM GMT

Students and educators are calling on the provincial government to make diploma and provincial achievement tests (PATs) optional again this year as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt learning. 

Grade 12 William Aberhart students Miila Gordon and Ayda Seyednabian launched a petition this week with plans to submit it to the Alberta legislature to cancel provincial exams this year.

"The last time we had a normal class with a normal exam was the first semester of Grade 10 in January, early 2020," said Seyednabian.

"It's because we have no learning experience or prep for exams, because we didn't take any last year, so we don't really know the situation we're going into. I feel like it's very rushed in the learning process going up to that."

So far, the petition has garnered more than 100 student signatures.

Alberta Education says more information about provincial exams this year will be released later this week.

"I just hope the government takes away that, hey, we have not had a regular school year since 2018 to 2019. That is almost three years ago," said Gordon, who spent nearly all of the past two years learning online.

"The amount of stress that is on students and teachers and families at this current moment is so unprecedented.… The majority of students right now are just trying to make sure that we are studying for the next quiz and then the next unit test, never mind PATs or diplomas."

Educators agree. 

Medicine Hat Public School Division's superintendent of schools, Mark Davidson, said the impacts of COVID-19 continue to be felt in their classrooms. He said it's an "even more dislocated learning year" than last school year as students and teachers continue to experience absences and changes from online to in-person learning due to COVID-19 cases. 

"It's hard to manage a class of, let's say, 22 social studies students in Grade 11 in front of you and have another eight or nine at home and try and make sure that you're monitoring their needs as well as the ones who are in front of you," he said. "So it's actually been more challenging. Our division is as concerned, or even more concerned, about provincial achievement and diploma exams as we were in the past."

Calgary Catholic School District's chief superintendent Bryan Szumlas said he shares those concerns. 

"We're still living through the most dangerous wave of COVID-19, and it's very difficult for students to focus and to show their true performance on some of these exams," said Szumlas.

"It would be our recommendation that the provincial government consider having diploma exams as well as the provincial achievement testing program as optional."

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us