Finals for the first semester are over, and people who couldn’t opt out had to go to take all their finals. 

Both teachers and students alike have differing opinions on the final opt-outs, now that the finals for first semester are over. 

A poll was sent out to around 55 people (freshman and teachers) asking about final opt out was and how they felt about it. In this poll, 87.6% of the people replied positively.  

“I think it is positive because it rewards those who worked hard to be able to opt out,” Shawn Schultz said

Others thought it was a just a good way to get out of class.

“I don’t really like testing so finals opt out is a good way to skip out on some,”Axel Rios said.

Some students did not like the change in the absence policy to opt out of finals.

“An absence should only be counted against a student if it is unexcused,” Lydia Pace said. “Final opt outs are punishing students for things that they can’t control, such as being sick.”

There was also some who had mixed feelings about final opt out.

“I feel that it is a nice reward for students to work for. It is also a nice motivator and an exercise in decision-making as students make the most out of their choices and choose what’s best for them,” Megan Clark, English teacher, said. “I struggle with allowing C’s to opt out, but for some students they work hard and that’s their best, so I also see why C’s are included.”

There are many other reasons why teachers have mixed feelings about finals opt outs, for example;

“I see why students enjoy the opt outs, and they are a good tool for getting students to come to school,” Avery Andersen, English teacher, said. “However, my high school never offered them and I think that mindset gave me a better work ethic and more time management tools which I have used into adulthood.”