This year, FCPS has implemented a new policy regarding reassessments.
Under the new rules, students may retake summative assessments which are tests and quizzes after completing required corrective action. New this year is that the highest possible score on a reassessment is capped at 90%.
Formative assignments, which make up 30% of the grade, are not eligible for retakes.
The policy aims to balance opportunities for improvement with accountability for the first attempt. According to FCPS, the policy is designed to provide students with a second opportunity to demonstrate mastery while emphasizing the importance of preparation and effort on the first attempt. This change ensures that reassessments are a tool for learning rather than a way to game the system.
CVHS teachers and students both have different opinions over this new policy and its effect on learning and motivation.
Mr. Noga, a Math teacher, said, “Students should be allowed one retake per two quarters.” This means 2 retakes the entire year.
Suggesting a more flexible approach, Sophomore Saahil Varghese disagreed. “I think you should get a 100% and if you don’t, it’s not worth it,” reflecting frustration that the cap limits the incentive for students to retake.
The impact of the policy is significant. Students who struggle initially still have a chance to improve, but they cannot achieve full credit while those who might have used retakes strategically are now limited. Students who need a second chance can still improve their understanding and grade, but they cannot earn full credit, potentially affecting their GPA calculations.
Meanwhile, teachers must balance the policy with individual student needs and ensure that remediation is meaningful and helpful to the student. Teachers hope the policy will encourage mastery on the first attempt and provide structured remediation opportunities.
As Centreville and all of FCPS adjusts to the change, its long term effects on student motivation, learning outcomes, and fairness are still unknown. While some students welcome the structure and accountability, others feel constrained by the cap.
