GHS changes policy for selecting valedictorian and salutatorian

If you have been to any recent graduation ceremonies for Guthrie High School you have heard a lot of speeches from seniors, who have had success in the classroom and have earned the distinction of being the class valedictorian or salutatorian. A new policy adopted by the Guthrie Board of Education will now place higher standards for those achievements.

In the June school board meeting, board members voted 7-0 to place a 5-point grading scale to help determine both valedictorians and salutatorians.

With the policy, the school is looking to promote higher education for students who excel in the classroom. School officials also believe the policy will help improve the school’s A-F school report card issued by the state.

The approved scale will begin with the Class of 2017.

A school valedictorian(s) is a student who earns the highest academic honor while the salutatorians(s) earns the next highest grade point average.

The current policy requires a valedictorian(s) must take one advance class (Advanced Placement (AP), Pre AP or Honors Class) from two of the four core areas (math, social studies, English and science). Currently, Guthrie High School does not offer an advance course in science, but says they are working to do so.

Policy guidelines were established by a committee of eight teachers and Principal Chris LeGrande as they looked at several policies from around the state to determine how they reached a valedictorian status.

The approved policy is as follows:

– Require students to take one AP course from all four core classes. AP courses will be scored on a 5.0 grading scale.

– In order to receive the 5.0 grade in an AP course, the student must make an A in the class and take the subsequent AP examination.

– Must be in good character (no behavior issues, good attendance)

LeGrande said several students would take the AP course, but would not take the AP exam and in return would lower their A-F grade with the state. In return for taking the AP class, students will continue to receive college credit.

With the new policy it is still possible to have multiple valedictorians and salutatorians.

Students who earn a 4.0 will not penalized and will still be recognized as a valedictorian and will continue to receive valedictorian scholarship opportunities, but will not be viewed as the highest academic achiever and will not give a speech at graduation.

To watch the discussion at the school board meeting you can view it at http://video.guthrieps.net/?id=107. The topic begins 41 minutes into the meeting.