I, along with many of my peers, have experienced the immense stress and pressure that comes from final exams making up more than a quarter of our total grade. The anxiety these high-stakes tests induce can lead to self-doubt and a negative self-image, all for the outcome of one test.

This is not an isolated issue. According to the American Test Anxieties Association, about 16-20% of students have high test anxiety, while another 18% are troubled by moderately-high test anxiety (American Test Anxieties Association). This means over a third of students are significantly affected by this issue.

Furthermore, research has shown that such high-stakes testing does not accurately reflect a student's understanding or knowledge in a subject. A study conducted by the National Education Association found that standardized testing induces stress and narrows learning (National Education Association).

It's time for us to rethink how we evaluate academic performance. We must move away from heavily weighted final exams towards more comprehensive and holistic assessment methods that truly reflect our capabilities as learners.

Please sign this petition if you believe in creating an educational environment where students are evaluated fairly and without undue stress.