Class Rank Discussion

[doctorwho]

Finally something I am in agreement with admin here on..

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From: "School District 204" <[e-mail]>
To: Doc
Date: 10/19/2010 03:28 PM
Subject: 204 e-News: Class Rank Discussion




Class Rank Discussion
District 204 administrators are recommending eliminating class rank for high school seniors beginning with the 2011-12 graduating class. In its place would be a system that still honors the hard work and accomplishments of students, but does not provide an individual class ranking.
According to a recent report by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling, more than half of all high schools no longer report student rankings. Eliminating class rankings could help students by eliminating the often-misleading impression class rank might give to college admissions officers.
Class rank could negatively impact a student's admission opportunities, regardless of their GPA or rigor. For example, a student with a "B" average would not be ranked in the top half of his or her graduating class.
In looking at admissions, colleges consider college prep classes taken, standardized test scores, strength of the high school curriculum and overall grade point average instead of class rank.
The district is proposing replacing the current Valedictorian and Salutatorian distinctions with the Latin Honor System, which would include designations of Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude. The designations would relate to the overall GPA earned by a student.
The board of education is expected to continue discussing the proposal to eliminate class rank at its November 1 meeting in order to finalize the plan for implementation in 2011-12.
More information from the October 18 board of education meeting on this topic is available at:
Video Presentation
PowerPoint Presentation

[Arch]

Mark the calendar, I agree too.

[sam2]

Maybe someone can enlighten me. What difference does it make if the school has class rank or not? It can't cost much to calculate and if colleges want to ignore it, they can.

On the other hand, if the grades are such that a B doesn't get you into the top half, either it's a very competitive high school or the grades are possibly inflated. In either case, I think that rank adds a little definition to the grading system.

Doc, does Benet have class rank or did they drop it? St. Francis still does and, yes, a B average will likely land a student in the bottom half. There, I think it is a function of selective admission and highly motivated student body. Benet would be much the same, in my opinion.

What I'd really like to see is a distribution of ACT/SAT test scores and GPA for the same group to see if the grades have any correlation to standardized tests.

[doctorwho]

Oct 20, 2010 14:01:23 GMT -6 sam2 said:

Maybe someone can enlighten me. What difference does it make if the school has class rank or not? It can't cost much to calculate and if colleges want to ignore it, they can.

On the other hand, if the grades are such that a B doesn't get you into the top half, either it's a very competitive high school or the grades are possibly inflated. In either case, I think that rank adds a little definition to the grading system.

Doc, does Benet have class rank or did they drop it? St. Francis still does and, yes, a B average will likely land a student in the bottom half. There, I think it is a function of selective admission and highly motivated student body. Benet would be much the same, in my opinion.

What I'd really like to see is a distribution of ACT/SAT test scores and GPA for the same group to see if the grades have any correlation to standardized tests.

Benet does not have class ranking - and you are right in that a B average would absolutely put you in the bottom half. ( also remembering that you need an 84 for a B, not an 80.
With a 28.4 average ACT score I feel the GPA scores at Benet are justified

Statement I believe they send out with transcripts
.
"Class Rank – Benet Academy does not rank students or their GPA’s. Due to the nature of our curriculum and the ability of our students, we believe that statistical class rank would represent an inaccurate assessment of a student’s abilities and potential for collegiate success. We are fully aware that our position creates extra work for your professional staff, and we appreciate your efforts."

I love the concept of measuring ACT/SAT scores vs. GPA because there are some really strong GPA numbers I am seeing yet those schools ACT scores don't necessarily reflect that, and very few people take the SAT there to help support.

With regards to class ranking for college entrance- the 'hot' item it seems right now is " rigor of curriculum " which unweighted at least does not necessarily equate to 4.0 type numbers

[doctorwho]

Class of 2010 profile at a glance:
• 99%+ have been accepted into 2 and 4 year post-secondary schools with two students accepting special appointments to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis.
• When collegiate classes commence in the fall, members of the Class of 2010 will be attending a total of 93 colleges and universities, located in 29 different states and in the District of Columbia.
• Members of the Class of 2010 have been offered scholarships from various colleges, organizations, and private foundations totaling close to $29 million
• 153 are Illinois State Scholars (47% of the Class of 2010)
• 119 have been inducted into the National Honor Society
• 1 has been named a National Hispanic Scholar
• 2 have been recognized as finalists by the National Achievement Scholarship Program
• 31 have been awarded the distinction of being named National Merit Commended Scholars
• 10 have been named National Merit Finalists


ACt = 28.2 SAT
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Class of 2011
ACT = 28.4 (national 21.0)
Sat 632 Reading ( national 501)
643 Math (national 516)
632 Writing (national 496)