Throughout this semester, my classmates and I have poured our hearts and minds into our studies, achieving A’s and B’s across different assessments. Imagine our shock and despair when all those efforts were reduced to almost nothing because of one high-pressure, all-determining final exam. This has been the reality for many students in our class, where a single test has the power to dictate an entire semester’s grade.

The stress of one exam should not negate months of learning, participation, and hard work. This is more than just a grade — it affects our futures, opportunities, and confidence as students. Many of us feel that our consistent effort and understanding throughout the semester are not being accurately reflected.

Research has consistently shown that diversified assessment methods not only enhance learning but also provide a more accurate representation of a student’s abilities and understanding. Studies by organizations such as the National Education Association emphasize that multiple forms of evaluation — including projects, quizzes, collaborative work, presentations, and smaller exams — promote stronger critical thinking skills and long-term learning compared to relying solely on one high-stakes test.

In addition to concerns about grading, many students also believe the teaching methods used in the course could be modernized to better support student learning. Much of the instruction currently relies heavily on traditional chalkboard lectures, which can make it difficult for students to keep up with notes, fully process concepts during class, and review material effectively afterward.

We believe students would benefit greatly from more modern instructional approaches, including the use of guided notes, structured lecture outlines, digital resources, practice examples, visual presentations, and other interactive teaching methods. These tools would help students stay engaged, organize information more effectively, and better understand difficult mathematical concepts.

We urge the administration to reconsider and improve the current approach to both grading and instruction in this class. By incorporating varied assessments and more student-centered teaching methods, the course can become a fairer, more supportive, and more effective learning environment for everyone.

This is not simply about making a class easier — it is about creating a system that values consistent effort, genuine understanding, and meaningful learning over performance on a single exam. In today’s world, collaboration, communication, adaptability, and continuous learning are essential skills, and our educational experience should reflect those values.

Join us in calling for positive change that can create a more equitable and effective learning environment for current and future students. Sign this petition to advocate for teaching practices and assessment methods that better support student success.