Opinion

Opinion Roundup: does the new testing schedule lead to more testing?

Brailyn Almonte, Opinion Roundup Manager • December 1, 2024

New Year’s resolutions are out. New semester resolutions are in

This year, Townsend Harris High School has initiated a new daily testing schedule in place of last year’s weekly schedule. There are a series of four different testing days: A, B, C, and D days. Only during their designated days, departments are able to give assessments. A days are for Social Studies, Classical Language, and Health. B days are for Modern Languages, Science, and Music. Finally, C days are for English, Math, and Art. This year’s schedule also introduces days in the cycle where no tests are allowed to be given. These days are called D days.

This schedule differs from last year’s schedule, in which assessments were assigned based on A, B, and C weeks. During that schedule, brief quizzes could be given on any day and there were no “D weeks” when tests could not be given.

The Classic asked students from each grade and one staff member to share perspectives on this year’s testing schedule and how it has affected their personal workload:

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“I don’t really like the new testing schedule. I think [THHS admin] is experimenting right now so this testing schedule may not be here for that long. Over time, hopefully we’ll evolve into a [better testing schedule]. Personally, I feel like my workload has increased a lot. I find myself studying for tests that fall on the same day, and I would rather study for multiple tests that fall on different days. If I could change the testing schedule to the one from last year, I probably would. Maybe with a few more changes or additions to the schedule, but I would prefer the previous one over the current one.”

— Junior Shaw Williams

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“I am not a fan of the current testing schedule. I feel like last year’s [schedule] was a lot less demanding of the students. The new testing schedule is very overwhelming considering how closely different subject tests are put together. My personal workload has become a lot more demanding. I’ve had quizzes and tests for multiple subjects in the same week and I haven’t had ample time to prepare for all of them. While it may be more inconvenient for the teachers, I think last year’s schedule was more convenient for the students and the well-being and performance of the students since they are given more time to study.”

— Senior Lucus Ramadhin

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“ [Previously] it was difficult to give a test at the end of a unit (which was only on one topic). In the past, tests encompassed multiple topics (each in part) which made it more difficult for students to prepare. Since those tests could only be given every 3 weeks (sometimes even 4 weeks), a large volume of material would be on that assessment. I am now able to schedule major and minor assessments more frequently, which allows the topics to be more cohesive and limited for that assessment. I hold my quizzes/tests/assessments [in alignment with] the new schedule in hopes that it will be better for the students.”

— Physics teacher John Tsai

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About the Contributors

Brailyn Almonte, Opinion Editor

Brailyn is a junior at Townsend Harris High School. She plans to study law in college and become an attorney one day. She also enjoys reading books, especially fantasy, romance and dystopian texts. Her favorite Classic piece that she has worked on thus far is her opinion piece on the THHS guidance department and their ability to provide various wellness opportunities to students. Her favorite Classic piece written by others is a news article that features a Townsend Harris custodian. She thinks it is sweet for the people who keep our school clean to be recognized for their hard work.

Bella Chen, Sports Photography Editor

Bella is a senior at Townsend Harris High School who hopes to pursue a career that gives her the opportunity to help people. Outside of journalism, she enjoys playing volleyball and cooking. Her favorite Classic piece she worked on is Scenes from Prom 2024, where she remembers the seniors’ happy faces and the delicious ice cream. Her favorite Classic piece made by others is an article titled “Mr. Wang Retires After Ten Years Serving as a THHS Guidance Counselor,” by Intishar Chinho. Mr. Wang was her guidance counselor and she agreed with all the kind things said about him.

Aki Benjamin, Editorial Board Manager

Aki is a sophomore at THHS. He loves writing, traveling, and eating. After being on the opinion team for one year, he is very excited to be editorial manager this year.