In the past 3 weeks, students at Rouse took required End-of-Course exams or as most of us know them, EOC’s. Although some teachers do not count them towards their student’s grade they are still very important. EOC’s are also a way to obtain extra exemptions. This year students took an EOC in Algebra I, Geometry, Biology, Chemistry, and World Geography. It all depended on what courses you took.

“EOC’s are a waste of time because we have finals,” Rachel Sloan said. Some students here at Rouse find EOC’s a hassle because they have to take 3 sets of tests; TAKS, EOC’s, and finals.

The EOC’s are going to phase out TAKS test and all other state tests. The class of 2015 or our current seventh graders will have to take the EOC instead of TAKS. The state is enforcing EOC’s to “go green” and to establish a way to test more students all at once. Eventually, students will have to take the EOC’s in all core subjects and they will become the finals at the end of every year. The class of 2015 and beyond will have to take these exams all through their junior year or until they take all the required courses.

Students alternated between two and one hour classes during the weeks of EOC’s. The reason for the two hour class periods was to give students enough time to complete their exams.