School divisions received letters this week from the education minister saying January 2021 exams have been cancelled for grade 12 students.
The decision comes down to the mix of in-class and remote learning for students this year.
Mountain View School Division Superintendent Dan Ward says the cancellation won't impact in-class learning.
"Students can expect to learn the same topics that students would've learned last year at this time in those courses. But there is a greater emphasis on recovery learning, knowing that students, although there certainly was material available, because of the suspension of classes back in the spring, there's still going to be some catch up in those areas. So, there's going to be a greater emphasis on core learning."
While students were encouraged to work online from home, not everyone was able to.
The province had also announced that grades wouldn’t drop for students after class was cancelled, leading to some students giving up on the rest of the school year.
Ward says exams for other grades will depend on the school's decision, adding there is protocol from the division.
"Tests can certainly still be given in class and will be given on important curricular outcomes. However, for a good number of years, we have provided the option for teachers to do a different kind of end of term assessment, could be a portfolio or a project. Our thinking is that there's likely going to be a greater emphasis on different types of end of term assessments."
In the letter, Goertzen says a decision about May and June exams will be made in February.
