From Metro Networks...
There are 44 valedictorians at Washington state's Garfield High School for this year's graduating class. The coveted title of valedictorian is for the acknowledged brain who received straight A's over seven semesters but things are a bit different in this day and age. The "Seattle Times" reports more students these days are getting perfect grades and some schools feel it's only fitting that they all be acknowledged. Some say so many students with a perfect grade point average proves there is grade inflation but the flip side of the argument is students are working hard at a school that encourages academic success. Almost three dozen of the valedictorians plan to give a brief, inspirational quote at next week's graduation ceremonies.
44 valedictorians? I thought it was the ONE PERSON who did the best. But in this day and age of people not wanting to get offended and suing for grades, I guess it's just not possible anymore. I would just get rid of it if you're not going to award it correctly...
I noticed the same thing when reading the Aurora papers around graduation time and saw that several schools had multiple valedictorians. It's crazy. Does every single one have to give a speech and if so, how long does the ceremony last? Just one more example of what's wrong with the public school system.
As for Gene's point about the workplace: The workplace is getting dumbed-down as well. It's getting harder for employers to find qualified, well-educated people with strong work ethics so they just fill jobs and productivity, quality and customer service all suffer.
Posted by: LaDonna | June 19, 2005 at 06:29 AM
Just another example of political correctness run amok in our schools: rewarding mediocrity so no one gets offended. I truly feel sorry for these kids when they enter the competitive workplace. How will they survive?
Posted by: Gene | June 16, 2005 at 06:32 AM