Post by casey on Jul 20, 2010 9:57:58 GMT -6
D204 may drop class ranking
Some say system can work to students' disadvantage
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/2512960,6_1_NA20_D204_S1-100720.article
July 20, 2010
By HANK BECKMAN For Sun-Times Media
Class rankings may go the way of the horse and buggy in Indian Prairie School District 204.
Assistant Superintendent Linda Rakestraw gave the District 204 Board of Education an update Monday on the ongoing discussions on eliminating class rankings in the district. Rakestraw noted that about half of all high schools in the United States have done away with rankings.
"It used to be one of the top criteria (in college admissions)," Rakestraw told the board, while stressing that the most important criteria in college admissions are college prep classes taken, standardized test scores and overall grade point average.
Criticisms of the ranking system include the often-misleading impression that class rank might give to college admissions officers.
Rakestraw gave the example of a student at Waubonsie Valley High School with a B average (in school year 2009) who would not be ranked in the top half of his or her graduating class.
"We are in favor of eliminating class rank," said Darcy Hutzler, director of guidance at Metea Valley high School, citing evidence gathered from surveys of college admissions officers that confirmed Rakestraw's assertion.
Board member Mark Metzger indicated that he was in favor of eliminating class rankings, in addition to eliminating valedictorians and salutatorians, suggesting that a system of Latin honor awards, similar to those on college and based on GPA, were a better approach.
"Class rank is antiquated," board member Dawn DeSart said. "We're late to the party on this," she said.
"This is the beginning of a conversation in many ways," board President Curt Bradshaw said, stressing the board was interested in hearing from the community on the issue. Bradshaw also pointed out the healthy aspects of competition and the benefits of having high achievers recognized. "Kids that work hard need to be recognized," Rakestraw said, agreeing with Bradshaw.
While most of the board members seemed agreeable to the basic concept of doing away with rankings, the details are still to be worked out.
One problem focused on the fairness of eliminating valedictorian awards for students already attending district high schools.
Metzger noted that the few students and parents who could be affected wouldn't be happy. Bradshaw agreed, saying, "anybody (student) that has been reported their rank has skin in the game," while bringing up the possibility of a phase-out of the ranking system.
Vice President Alka Tyle asked whether her colleagues were suggesting ending the awards immediately or phasing them out gradually to accommodate high-achieving students currently enrolled.
Metzger was in favor of ending them immediately, but no one else took a position. Rakestraw said of Naperville District 203, "They phased them out."
While the board didn't come to a conclusion about what to do with current high achievers, there was general agreement that the issue would be part of an ongoing conversation the district would have with parents on the issue.
Tyle suggested an effort to educate parents on the issue and stressed finding a way to use all eight semesters of work to determine GPA, instead of the last semester of senior year not counting.
Some say system can work to students' disadvantage
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/2512960,6_1_NA20_D204_S1-100720.article
July 20, 2010
By HANK BECKMAN For Sun-Times Media
Class rankings may go the way of the horse and buggy in Indian Prairie School District 204.
Assistant Superintendent Linda Rakestraw gave the District 204 Board of Education an update Monday on the ongoing discussions on eliminating class rankings in the district. Rakestraw noted that about half of all high schools in the United States have done away with rankings.
"It used to be one of the top criteria (in college admissions)," Rakestraw told the board, while stressing that the most important criteria in college admissions are college prep classes taken, standardized test scores and overall grade point average.
Criticisms of the ranking system include the often-misleading impression that class rank might give to college admissions officers.
Rakestraw gave the example of a student at Waubonsie Valley High School with a B average (in school year 2009) who would not be ranked in the top half of his or her graduating class.
"We are in favor of eliminating class rank," said Darcy Hutzler, director of guidance at Metea Valley high School, citing evidence gathered from surveys of college admissions officers that confirmed Rakestraw's assertion.
Board member Mark Metzger indicated that he was in favor of eliminating class rankings, in addition to eliminating valedictorians and salutatorians, suggesting that a system of Latin honor awards, similar to those on college and based on GPA, were a better approach.
"Class rank is antiquated," board member Dawn DeSart said. "We're late to the party on this," she said.
"This is the beginning of a conversation in many ways," board President Curt Bradshaw said, stressing the board was interested in hearing from the community on the issue. Bradshaw also pointed out the healthy aspects of competition and the benefits of having high achievers recognized. "Kids that work hard need to be recognized," Rakestraw said, agreeing with Bradshaw.
While most of the board members seemed agreeable to the basic concept of doing away with rankings, the details are still to be worked out.
One problem focused on the fairness of eliminating valedictorian awards for students already attending district high schools.
Metzger noted that the few students and parents who could be affected wouldn't be happy. Bradshaw agreed, saying, "anybody (student) that has been reported their rank has skin in the game," while bringing up the possibility of a phase-out of the ranking system.
Vice President Alka Tyle asked whether her colleagues were suggesting ending the awards immediately or phasing them out gradually to accommodate high-achieving students currently enrolled.
Metzger was in favor of ending them immediately, but no one else took a position. Rakestraw said of Naperville District 203, "They phased them out."
While the board didn't come to a conclusion about what to do with current high achievers, there was general agreement that the issue would be part of an ongoing conversation the district would have with parents on the issue.
Tyle suggested an effort to educate parents on the issue and stressed finding a way to use all eight semesters of work to determine GPA, instead of the last semester of senior year not counting.
