HENRY MCCOULD MCCOY, THANKS FOR YOUR INSIGHT. >> THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE IT. >>> THE PRESSURE IS GROWING FOR SCHOOLS TO GET SOME KIND OF A RELIEF FROM TRADITIONAL STANDARDIZED TESTS AS CORONAVIRUS CASES REACH NEW HIGHS. THE TESTS WILL STILL BE TAKEN IN PERSON THIS YEAR. WRAL LORA LAVIGNE CHECKS IN TO SEE HOW DURHAM SCHOOLS PLAN TO HANDLE THE SITUATION SAFELY. >> Reporter: DURHAM HAS TAKEN THE PANDEMIC VERY SERIOUSLY, KEEPING ALL STUDENTS ONLINE JUST LIKE THIS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. BUT JUST THE THOUGHT OF BRINGING STUDENTS BACK TOGETHER FOR A STANDARDIZED TEST IS ADDING STRESS TO ITS ALREADY INTENSE SITUATION FOR MANY. >> IT IS REALLY BIG AT TIMES. >> Reporter: SENIOR YEAR FOR LAUREN WILSON IS NOTHING LIKE SHE EXPECTED. >> TRYING TO KEEP MY GRADES UP AT THIS POINT FOR COLLEGE AND STUFF LIKE THAT, AND ALSO HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT THE APPLICATIONS. >> Reporter: SHE KNOWS STANDARDIZED TESTS ARE IMPORTANT FOR HER DREAMS OF HIGHER EDUCATION. BUT THERE IS NOW AN ADDITIONAL LEVEL OF ANXIETY THAT WILL WEIGH ON HER MIND. >> LIKE GETTING SICK AND STUFF LIKE THAT AND BEING IN AN ENVIRONMENT WITH A LOT OF OTHER TEENAGERS. >> IT IS A STATE REQUIREMENT THAT WE HAVE TO PROVIDE THESE TESTS. THEY ARE NOT GIVING US THE OPTION OF DOING THEM REMOTELY. >> Reporter: JEFF SAYS SEVERAL PRECAUTIONS WILL BE IN PLACE LIKE SCREENING WHILE ON SITE, TEMPERATURE CHECKS, MINIMIZING THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN EACH TEST ROOM. >> WHY IS IT A WAY TO BE GIVEN UNTIL VACCINES COULD BE DISTRIBUTED AND WE HAVE SOME FORM OF CONTROL OVER THIS VIRUS? >> OUR SCHOOL BOARD, THEY DID REQUEST THAT STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL OFFER US A WAIVE AND THAT DID NOT HAPPEN. >> Reporter: IT IS A FEDERAL RULE THAT THE TEST WILL TAKE PLACE IN PERSON TO ENSURE TESTING SECURITY AND TO COLLECT DATA ON HOW STUDENTS ARE DOING. BUT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, THEY ARE PURSUING A PAIR OF WAIVERS TO LOWER THE STAKES IF STUDENTS DON'T SHOW UP TO TAKE THEM. >> THEY CAN TAKE THE INCOMPLETE ON THE COURSE. AND THEY COULD TAKE THAT EXAM LATER IN THE YEAR WHEN HOPEFULLY OUR NUMBERS ARE GOING TO BE MUCH BETTER. >> Reporter: THE CURRENT RULE IS THAT TESTS WILL COUNT FOR AT LEAST 20% OF THE STUDENT'S GRADE. A DECISION WILL COME IN JANUARY