At the beginning of this school year, the Brophy administration strengthened its crackdown on test dodging. This includes specific measures such as keeping closer track of student attendance on test days.
The administration has introduced new methods to track students’ attendance on test days. “We’re asking teachers, when they mark a student absent, if they’re missing a test or quiz, to add an additional note that I can see on my end,” said Ms. Maya Courtright, assistant dean at Brophy.
Students found to be test-dodging will meet with Dr. Brian Johnson, Dean of Student Formation, to talk about the reason behind their absences.
Ms. Courtright said that the goal of this conversation is support, rather than punishment. “How can we help you find resources so that you’re studying more appropriately?… Let’s get you the help you need so that you don’t feel like you need to be absent on these days,” said Ms. Courtright.
Students test dodge for many reasons, but the most common are procrastination and not knowing test dates.
One possible reason could be that “students procrastinate until the last day before the test, and then it’s easier to just not go to school than to take the test,” said student Brandon McNett ’28.
Brophy’s Student-Parent Handbook states that constant tardiness (excused or unexcused) in a course for any reason other than school-sponsored activities can lead to disenrollment from the class. It also states that missing 6 periods or more for any reason is considered excessive and may result in being placed on an attendance agreement.
Some students express their concerns about how test dodging will be enforced in practice.
“How can you be absolutely sure that a student is test-dodging?” and “That could put a student on academic dishonesty and get them almost kicked out,” said Tiernan Kelly ’28.
Ms. Courtright addresses these concerns, saying, “We always assume the best,” and “Even if they’re out sick, they’ll still put that note just so that we can track it. Because if they happen to be sick during five tests throughout the semester, that would be suspicious.”
However, other students suggest alternatives to simply enforcing discipline. McNett expresses alternative solutions. “The school already has a lot of resources, but the school could make these resources more accessible, such as making the ARC more inviting rather than just a place to retake tests or redo assignments.”
