Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 3, 1993 TAG: 9305270517
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ROBIN PRICE SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Penn single-handedly brought exam exemption for seniors back to life in Roanoke County.
Back in August, Penn began his crusade. It was one of his campaign promises even though he didn't think that it was possible to get seniors exempted from final exams.
Penn discussed the matter with his fellow officers and Jo Brittle, senior class sponsor, during the summer, and decided to take a chance. During a countywide teachers meeting, Penn talked with Bayes Wilson, superintendent of schools, who said he would be happy to entertain Penn's proposal.
Penn, then decided he'd better "get some research under my belt."
He and Brittle gathered information from six other Virginia school districts.
Penn also circulated a survey, asking Cave Spring teachers for their opinions on exam exemption. Most of the teachers supported the exemption.
"I took all of the policies I received and combined them with my ideas to come up with an original proposal. I wrote it by myself on my trusty computer and got the class presidents from the other county schools to sign it."
Penn, one of 10 Cave Spring valedictorians, then sent the proposal to Wilson.
Time passed, and Penn received a letter from Wilson, saying that Gary Kelley, superintendent of guidance, would be heading up a committee to study the proposal. The committee was composed of students, the superintendent, teachers and parents from around the county. Penn and Brittle served on the committee.
Attendance and grades were the main concern of committee members, but they favored the exemption and surveyed all the county high school teachers.
"The teachers overwhelmingly supported exemption," said Penn.
Kelley then drafted a new proposal that included a controversial 10 percent absence policy. When the proposal went before the School Board in January, Penn spoke. When a question about having students with "A's and B's" exempted instead of just those with "A's," came up, Penn explained that the policy should encourage all students. If it included "B's," he said, average students also would have something to strive for.
Students from Northside, who were attending the meeting for their government classes, also spoke in favor of getting rid of senior exams.
The Roanoke County School Board took the proposal and studied it, and on Jan. 29, voted to exempt seniors who have a 90 percent attendance record and an "A" or "B" average. This first year is a trial for the policy.
Although most seniors like the policy, several have complained about the 90 percent attendence rule. Students can miss only nine days during second semester to be exempted, with no exceptions.
"It's upset a lot students who are involved with sports, attend field trips, and take [advanced placement] tests. It seems that the students who are involved with extracurricular activities and are involved in school are being penalized. These are the very people who should be exempt," Penn said.
"I warned the committee that this would cause problems. I shouldn't complain though. I'm just happy that they passed it. It's made life a lot easier at the end of the year."
The board supported the policy in hopes that it would keep seniors in school and concentrating on their studies toward the end of the year, when most seniors get "senioritis." So far, it's worked.
"Last year I felt free to `feel sick' whenever I didn't feel like going to school. This year I've budgeted my days. It's definitely been the incentive to keep me in school and keep my grades up," said Christy Tennant.
Some of Cave Spring's 348 seniors said they feel that without the option for exemption, many would be compelled to slack off in attendance and studies. And why not? They've already been accepted by a college, and their grades only have to stay reasonable, not superb.
"I would like to commend David Penn for proving that campaign promises don't have to be broken," said Caroline Wolfe. "He made a commitment to working for something students have been desiring for years, and he didn't quit until it was a reality. He deserves credit for his hard work and dedication."
by CNB