Alberta's Diploma Exams: Balancing Fairness Post-Strike
Calgary's Grade 12 students are in a state of uncertainty following the cancellation of first-semester diploma exams due to a recent teachers' strike. The disruption has left many wondering how their second-semester assessments will be handled, particularly as they prepare university applications.
The Alberta government canceled January 2026 diploma exams, allowing school-awarded marks to serve as final grades. This decision was made to focus on learning lost during the strike from October 6 to October 29, 2025. However, students can opt to write these exams in April or June 2026.
Concerns have been raised about the fairness of this approach. Students whose second-semester courses culminate in exams could face a different grading scenario, with the standard 30% exam weighting potentially applying. This discrepancy worries students applying to competitive post-secondary programs, fearing an uneven playing field.
Alberta Education assures that these changes won't affect students' graduation or post-secondary admission prospects. Yet, the lack of a consistent policy for the second semester has sparked debate about equity. With no further announcements on altering second-semester exam weightings, students and educators alike are calling for clarity.
As Alberta navigates these challenges, students and stakeholders await decisions that will impact their academic futures, highlighting the delicate balance between adaptability in extraordinary times and maintaining standardized assessments.
