The Spring Keystone tests are starting up again next week, but there is a new rule this year: Students will not be allowed to use their chromebooks or phones during testing hours — even after everyone has finished their tests.

In year’s past, the procedure was that, after all students were finished with the exam, the materials would be collected and students would be free to either work on class work on their chromebooks, look at their phones, read a book, or simply put their heads down. 

This year, we will only be given two options: Read or sleep. 

“Something we have collectively noticed is that students might be rushing through the test to get back to their devices,” said Mr. Wood. “Even students taking their time might start to feel the pressure to hurry up when they’re the last ones still taking the test. The hope is this alleviates that.” 

Many students have mixed thoughts about this. Some agree with these new rules, and some disagree.

Why we disagree: 

For many, it doesn’t seem fair that they may finish testing before others do and the only things available to them would be a book if they decided to bring one, or their desks to nap. And this was before the new rule; now students will be waiting until lunch during the AM session or the end of the day during the PM session to get their chromebooks and personal devices back. 

Students will be testing for 3 hours; have a 45-minute lunch break; and continue testing for another 3 hours. It simply doesn’t seem logical that they’ll be testing for this long and will be unable to do any kind of catchup work they may need to do during Keystone week.

Phones and Chromebooks are also a source of entertainment for many, and taking that escape away during a stressful week can be isolating. 

Many use their phones after the high-stake exams to alleviate stress by playing games, listening to music, contacting friends and family, and ultimately taking a student’s mind off of the seriousness of it all.

Why we agree…reluctantly: 

Students work at different speeds and some of the slower test takers might feel pressured to rush. When everyone else in the room has finished taking their test except for one person, that one person might feel an unspoken pressure to hurry up so everyone can get their devices back. 

With Keystones being a graduation requirement, students should be able to thoroughly read all questions and take their time. Whatever steps can be taken to ensure success, should be. 

Keystones are also a representation of the school on a state level. Phones and devices can be a distraction; not allowing for students to take the test using their full potential, which can lead to school’s teaching performance landing under federal accountability guidelines. 

These exams are also designed to ensure that students have a minimal understanding of these key subjects, which are often considered more important subject grades in school. It’s imperative that students have no distractions, which even includes the urge to finish quickly and get back to our devices.