To: Trocaire’s Administration and Academic Policy Committee

We respectfully request a review and adjustment of the current grading policy that designates the HESI exam as 10% of students’ overall course grades.

While we recognize the importance of assessments in evaluating knowledge and readiness, we believe that the HESI exam, as a standardized test, presents several challenges that make it an inequitable measure of academic performance:

Disproportionate Weight: A single standardized test should not significantly impact overall grades, as it may not accurately reflect students’ day-to-day performance, learning, and growth.
Increased Stress and Anxiety: High-stakes testing adds unnecessary stress, which can hinder performance and well-being, especially for students already facing rigorous academic demands.
Equity Concerns: Standardized tests may disproportionately affect students with test anxiety or those from diverse educational backgrounds, creating an unfair disadvantage.
Proposed Solutions:

Reduce the weight of the HESI exam to 5% or less of the overall grade.
Allow the HESI exam to serve as a supplemental evaluation tool, rather than a mandatory graded component.
Provide students with opportunities to retake or remediate the exam without penalty.
By adjusting the grading policy, Trocaire can better ensure fairness and align assessment practices with the diverse needs and abilities of its students.

We urge the administration to consider this petition and work with students to develop a more equitable policy.

Thank you for your attention and commitment to student success.

Sincerely,
Trocaire’s Nursing Students

Sign this petition to support fair and equitable grading policies!