Jefferson Outlook Newspaper

3/26/2010
Written By: SAM FILLENWORTH opinions editor
Category: Student Thoughts  
School(s): Cedar Rapids Jefferson  

Cedar Rapids Jefferson's Valedictorian requirements will change to a Grade Point Average benchmark for the 2010 graduating class. This means that any senior who has a 4.1 GPA or above at the end of winter term will be a valedictorian.
In past years, only the top percent of the senior class received the honor. The new benchmark is a push for congruency between high schools in the Cedar Rapids Community School District.
“Kennedy, Washington and Jefferson have always had different systems for choosing valedictorians,” principal Charles McDonnell said. “Publicly, it looks like Jefferson doesn’t measure up. It’s a school board driven decision to close those loop holes.”
Senior Lizzy Steuber wanted to be a valedictorian since freshman year.
“I think [the change] makes the honor of valedictorian less special,” she said.
According to McDonnell, top students will only be slightly affected by the change.
“Students who would have been salutatorians under the old system will just become valedictorians,” he said, adding that the change makes requirements more definitive.
“Instead of having a moving target [with a percentage], it’s a set requirement,” McDonnell said. “Students know what they’re working for.”
Steuber said she was always “conscientious” about her classes.
“I’ve never accepted anything subpar,” Steuber said. “I made sure to do my homework every night, even if it meant not doing something fun at night.”
McDonnell said the percentage system was hard on students who took multiple classes their senior year.
“In the past, I’ve had to select those few winners based on how hard the student worked [as well as GPA],” he said. “There are always students who play the numbers by taking less classes, or taking less academic classes. Students who take multiple classes deserve the honor, too.”
McDonnell hopes that the changing requirements will encourage students to have “a more complete high school experience.”
“We’re not lowering our standards, we’re just having more valedictorians,” McDonnell said. “If it allows students to take a few more academic classes, then it’s a good thing.”
Steuber thinks the new system is less challenging.
“Because there are so many [valedictorians], it makes it less competitive,” she said. “It doesn’t push students to their full potential.”