I am a student at Toledo School For The Arts who often catches cold and has doctor appointments. My mother, a hardworking individual juggling two jobs, can only take me to these necessary appointments during school hours, due to doctor office hours. This often results in my absence from school and subsequently impacts my eligibility for exam exemptions despite having A's.

Current policy states that students must have no more than four absences. However, being present-out of class, religious observations, field trips, and quarentine are not counted as absences. This policy does not consider the circumstances of students like myself who are unable to meet this requirement due to health issues or other unavoidable reasons.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), about 6% of children aged 5-17 missed 11 or more days of school in 2015 due to illness or injury. That's roughly one child per classroom who could potentially be affected by policies similar to ours.

We believe that our education system should be supportive and understanding of all students' unique situations. Therefore, we propose a reform in the exam exemption policy that takes into account valid reasons for absences such as health conditions.

By signing this petition, you will support countless students like myself who struggle with maintaining perfect attendance due to circumstances beyond their control but still strive for academic excellence. Please sign this petition today and help us bring about a much-needed change!