Students in Jyväskylä are concerned about their equal standing in the spring joint application, as the city's schools do not provide grade reports during the Christmas period.
In Jyväskylä, many ninth-graders are frustrated because they believe they are at a disadvantage in the upcoming spring joint application due to the local schools not issuing interim grade reports during Christmas. This practice has been in place since 2014, where assessments take the form of discussions instead of formal reports. Students feel this hampers their ability to evaluate their academic performance and make necessary improvements in time for applications to high school or vocational studies.
One student, Arttu Pekkarinen from Mankola Unified School, voiced his concerns, expressing a desire to know his grades to identify areas needing improvement. His classmate, Santeri Lindgren, is also interested in gaining insights into his academic performance to understand which vocational programs he can apply to. The lack of formal grade documentation leaves students feeling uncertain about their standings and future opportunities.
Mankola Unified School's principal, Pipsa Teerijoki, acknowledges the importance of concrete grade information. While some subject forecasts are provided, the absence of interim reports makes it challenging for students to gauge their readiness for the joint application. This situation highlights a significant concern among students regarding fairness and transparency in the educational assessment process, especially in a competitive academic environment.
