Goodrich-The school board voted 7-0 at a special meeting on Monday night to eliminate the Valedictorian/ Salutatorian distinction, along with the academic ‘Top 10? at the high school beginning with the graduating Class of 2011.
Mike Ellis, acting high school principal, reported to the board that nationally other school districts are already making the shift.
‘Our goal is to make a more fair representation of what students have achieved,? reported Ellis to the board. Conflicts that arise under the current system are fairness, students avoiding rigorous courses, as well as only a small percentage of students being recognized for their efforts.
Academic achievement will now be recognized through: 3.9 GPA or above recognized as Summa Cum Laude (with highest praise); 3.7 GPA and above recognized as Magna Cum Laude (with great praise) and 3.5 GPA and above recognized as Cum Laude (with praise).
‘Right now if a student has a 3.5 GPA they are in the middle of the class,? he said.