Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

School District to Stop Naming Valedictorians Due to 'Unhealthy' Competition

High school valedictorians are on the verge of becoming a thing of the past in Wake County as school leaders cut down on what they call unhealthy competition among top-achieving students.

The Wake County school board unanimously gave initial approval Tuesday to a policy that would bar high school principals from naming valedictorians and salutatorians – titles which go to the two seniors with the highest grade-point averages – after 2018. Starting in 2019, high schools would begin using a new system that recognizes seniors with Latin titles such as cum laude if they have a weighted GPA of at least 3.75.

School board members said the change will allow students to take more of the courses they’d like rather than just the ones that will boost their GPA and class rank.

“We have heard from many, many schools that the competition has become very unhealthy,” school board Chairman Tom Benton said in an interview. “Students were not collaborating with each other the way that we would like them to. Their choice of courses was being guided by their GPA and not their future education plans.”

More

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

All we hear about is that are kids are not as smart as those from other countries (I disagree) and then we do not reward them for achieving greatness. America is schizophrenic.

Anonymous said...

You see, the recipients of the objective awards were not racially diverse, hence they decided to quit recognizing those who excel. It is the racially PC decision, has nothing to do with "unhealthy" competition. It's all about not being able to award the honors based on race. It is what it is, no matter how they try to spin it.

Anonymous said...

I was in the top tier and didn't bother to study and spent my time partying. If there was competition I did not notice.
So they change the entire school policy because 5 people might compete?
Ridiculous.

Anonymous said...

So will they stop having "All Star Games"? I assume they will no longer give out medals and trophies to those who excel at sports. This will also stop and "unhealthy competition" among those competing in sports.

Anonymous said...

Sorry that picture was not taken anywhere near here. No Thug locks on any heads and everyone has their pants pulled up. Tell where this utopia is located. !!!!!!

Anonymous said...

It is North Carolina !!!!!!!!!!!! Love it more every day. SIUYA Ohbammy. Some people still know how to be Americans.

Anonymous said...

10:35 definitely has a point, and I'd even add in that they also quit doing it because someone "got their feelings hurt". People are so damn sensitive nowadays. If you earn it, you should be recognized for it. If you didn't earn it and are upset about it, set goals and work harder to achieve what you want in the future. Now those that work their tails off won't be recognized because a few people had to ruin it. Seems to be the story of most things nowadays.

Steve said...

Goodbye, education, competition, thriving for the best and success!

Welcome everybody gets a trophy for "Participation".

Goodbye, America!