Midterms this year should be canceled because of the impact of Covid-19. In just the first week back from school, there were 86 cases at the high school alone. This affects the sick students because they are missing the prep and review, which is incredibly stressful. Also for the kids who are sick, it is very hard to catch up on work and prepare because they should be focusing on getting better and staying healthy. Plus, if someone is unable to take an exam due to quarantining during the midterms, then they have to make up all of the tests they missed. In addition to making up exams, students will have to learn and keep up to date on new materials. This creates more work for the teachers because they have to teach all of the sick students while trying to move on with the class, leaving less attention for students who need help on the new material. Furthermore, students who must make up exams will need proctors. Where will the district get proctors if the schools are already low on substitutes and teachers are out sick? This will only make teachers and students more stressed out. Students who don’t feel well during midterms are likely to come to school anyway because they want to take the tests while they are prepared. This will put all students and teachers at school at an even greater risk of retaining Covid-19.

In conclusion, if the school district does claim to focus on students’ social-emotional well being, shouldn’t it clearly be a priority to cancel midterms?