Do you believe in second chances? The new FCPS retake policy certainly does.
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) announced a new test retake policy for 2024-2025, which aims to support students in improving their academic performance by offering additional opportunities to succeed. The new policy allows students to retake summative assignments up to 100% regardless of their initial score, but they only receive one chance to make up their grade.
“In my opinion, the reasoning behind the retake policy is to ensure students have more than one opportunity to show mastery of the concepts and skills they have been working on in class,” 7th grade history teacher Ms. Layton said. “The policy is designed to help students who may not have performed their best on their first try.”
These retakes are not automatic, and students must meet certain requirements to demonstrate that they are taking the opportunity seriously. These steps might include a retake study guide, a study session with the teacher, or just showing evidence of further studying on the topic.
The FCPS school board hopes this approach will address common issues with performance and stress about tests, while also encouraging a growth mindset among students.
“I feel like it helps students with test anxiety,” 7th grade science teacher Ms. Schinstock said.
Teachers also play an important role in the new policy, as they are responsible for determining when and how retakes will take place. Many teachers are already implementing times that they are available during Learning Seminar or after school. But for a student to successfully retake, the teacher has to go through a long process.
“First, the teacher needs to create an alternate assessment and copy it,” Ms. Layton explained. “Next, the teacher will need to grade the new assessment and record those grades in SIS. So, there are multiple steps in the process which do require a substantial amount of additional time and work on the teacher’s part.”
Many students see the new retake policy as a positive change, as it offers them a second chance to master material they may have struggled with initially.
“I think the new retake policy is a good idea because students can get a second try at the assignment,” 7th grader Elena P. said.
However, some don’t like the extra work that comes with it. For teachers, opinions vary. Some teachers agree with the policy, while others strongly disagree, and think this policy should be revised.
“There are more retakes for one unit than I had for all of last year,” Algebra teacher Ms. Coffey said. “I would say you could retake it if you scored 80% or lower the first time up to a 93% on the second try. In college, no one is going to give you retakes. So you are basically setting [students] up for failure.”
As FCPS implements this new policy, both students and teachers are learning how to adapt. The school district plans to monitor its impact and may adjust the policy if needed based on feedback from students, teachers, and families.
The new retake policy at Fairfax County Public Schools represents a shift toward more flexible, student-centered learning. While it brings benefits, it also introduces challenges for some. Over time, FCPS will likely assess whether the policy helps achieve its goal of fostering student growth and improving educational outcomes.
