High school students preparing to take diploma exams this year will have a little stress lifted off their shoulders. 

The provincial government announced on Monday (Sept. 26) afternoon that due to some of the lasting impacts of the pandemic, diploma exams will only be weighted for 20 per cent of a student's total mark for the current school year. They expect that weight to go back up to the usual 30 per cent in time for the 2023-24 school year. 

Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Education for Alberta, says the decision comes after talking with school boards across the province. 

“Since June of this year, I have met with over 40 public, separate and francophone school authorities and many other stakeholders and listened to their perspectives," said LaGrange. "Changing the weight of diploma exams will reduce the burden on students while still giving them valuable exam writing experience. We’re making this temporary change to place less of a burden on students and improve their mental health.”

The province was quick to acknowledge the struggles that high-school students faced during the pandemic as well. 

The move also follows support put into elementary school students in the form of new literacy and numeracy assessments for kids struggling in grades 1 to 3. 

Marilyn Dennis, the president of the Alberta School Boards Association, praised the move as a win for the mental health of students. 

“The Alberta School Board Association is pleased that the government has reviewed high school diploma exam weighting as boards continue to focus on addressing student learning and mental health challenges," said Dennis. "This will assist in relieving additional pressures while boards prioritize the success of all students.”

This is the highest weight the exams have had post-COVID. In 2020-2021 all diplomas were optional while in 2021-22 all January exams were cancelled, while others were weighted at just 10 per cent.