No exams the last week of classes

[Liquidambar]

I'm wondering what would the fora do when school policies conflict with optimal teaching...

I was planning to do more small assessments and a scaffolded final project instead of a cumulative final exam.  This seems to be recommended in general, and especially with remote classes.  (Students are supposedly less likely to cheat when the stakes are lower.)  My plan was to have an exam the last week of classes on our last unit.

However, I found out there's a rule against giving exams during the last week of classes.  We're allowed to have short quizzes, papers due, etc., as long as they're less than 25% of the course grade.  But not exams.  Even though my exam would only be about 10% of the course grade.  I'm thinking about renaming all my exams to "quizzes" so I can be in compliance, but since these are 50 minute exams, that might not fly.  WWTFD?

I could shift this exam to the next-to-last week of classes, but that is suboptimal for a variety of reasons.  Alternatively, I'm allowed to hold this noncumulative exam during our final exam slot.  Maybe that's the best option.  However, that's also the day that their final projects are due, and when any students needing makeup exams will take them, so it's a lot.

[Hegemony]

If it's only worth 10% of the course grade, just rename it as a quiz.

[Puget]

We have the same policy, and I've always just given the non-cumulative third exam during the final exam period.

Just because the project is also due that doesn't mean they actually have more to do, just that they have longer to study for the exam while also finishing the project. They may need some reminders about time management but you're actually giving them more time and flexibility that way.

[Ruralguy]

Make it shorter, call it a quiz, make it worth 5 percent and redistribute the rest. If you feel that violates the syllabus, keep the 10 percent, but still call it a quiz and make it shorter.

[Caracal]

We have the same policy, and I've always just given the non-cumulative third exam during the final exam period.

Just because the project is also due that doesn't mean they actually have more to do, just that they have longer to study for the exam while also finishing the project. They may need some reminders about time management but you're actually giving them more time and flexibility that way.

Yeah, agree with Puget. Also, do you need to make the final projects due that day too? I often have final projects due either before the last week of class, which allows me to hopefully get them graded before the last exams come in, or if that isn't workable, I just have them due on the last day of finals-if I've just got a bunch of exams to grade anyway, it won't make any difference if the papers come in a bit later.

[Parasaurolophus]

Everywhere I've been has had a similar policy. I agree with everyone else: just rebrand it.

[clean]

d when any students needing makeup exams will take them, so it's a lot.

Taking a tangent...
I dont do make up exams.  If a student misses a test, then the grade on the comprehensive final (which is not optional) replaces that grade (so that the final counts for more weight). 

IF you dont usually have a comprehensive final, then the make-up policy I suggest would be to simply give an optional final as the make up.  That way you only have to prepare one exam.  (I would suggest that it be made up of the most missed questions from the other exams).

[kiana]

However, that's also the day that their final projects are due, and when any students needing makeup exams will take them, so it's a lot.

You can't have regularly scheduled exams during the last week, but can you have "makeup day" during the last week and just give everyone else a day off?

I don't see having last exam and final project on the same day as hugely problematic.

[teach_write_research]

It sounds to me like a restriction that came about from folks putting the final exam in the last week of classes and then not doing anything during the finals period. Or it was some large enrollment course or courses that was then dominating that last week of classes. Whatever the original situation, this was likely the solution to that past problem.

If you rebrand it as a quiz or just call it Module 3 exam *and* you have something due during the finals period, I doubt it will be a problem. Double-check with your chair and dean.

[Liquidambar]

Thank you, everyone!  This has been very helpful.  I realized that I was less bothered by having projects and an exam the same day, and more bothered by having makeup exams and a regular exam the same day because it felt cruel to the students who need makeups.  I'll have the makeup exam the last week of classes.  The last regular exam and the project due date will both be during our final exam slot.

We have the same policy, and I've always just given the non-cumulative third exam during the final exam period.

Just because the project is also due that doesn't mean they actually have more to do, just that they have longer to study for the exam while also finishing the project. They may need some reminders about time management but you're actually giving them more time and flexibility that way.

Okay, I'll plan to remind them about time management.  It should help that the project is scaffolded, so they shouldn't be just starting it during finals week.

Taking a tangent...
I dont do make up exams.  If a student misses a test, then the grade on the comprehensive final (which is not optional) replaces that grade (so that the final counts for more weight). 

IF you dont usually have a comprehensive final, then the make-up policy I suggest would be to simply give an optional final as the make up.  That way you only have to prepare one exam.  (I would suggest that it be made up of the most missed questions from the other exams).

Yes, that's what it will be:  a single comprehensive exam as the makeup.  However, I don't want to make it optional for everyone since that's too much grading.  It'll only be for students who missed an exam.

You can't have regularly scheduled exams during the last week, but can you have "makeup day" during the last week and just give everyone else a day off?

I don't see having last exam and final project on the same day as hugely problematic.

That's what I will do!  Thanks for providing the solution.

[Liquidambar]

Yeah, agree with Puget. Also, do you need to make the final projects due that day too? I often have final projects due either before the last week of class, which allows me to hopefully get them graded before the last exams come in, or if that isn't workable, I just have them due on the last day of finals-if I've just got a bunch of exams to grade anyway, it won't make any difference if the papers come in a bit later.

Oops, I forgot to respond to this.  Since the projects are in lieu of a final exam, I have to make them due during our exam slot.

[Caracal]

Yeah, agree with Puget. Also, do you need to make the final projects due that day too? I often have final projects due either before the last week of class, which allows me to hopefully get them graded before the last exams come in, or if that isn't workable, I just have them due on the last day of finals-if I've just got a bunch of exams to grade anyway, it won't make any difference if the papers come in a bit later.

Oops, I forgot to respond to this.  Since the projects are in lieu of a final exam, I have to make them due during our exam slot.

Ah. One thing you can always do is tell students that while that's the due date, you're happy to give extensions till the end of finals.