Should high schools have only one Valedictorian?

Jensmom27
Sun, 18 Nov 2018 19:07:44 +0000

There are many scenarios where academic competition and awards can be positive and healthy, for sure. There are also multiple situations and school systems in which the academic “competitors" are increasingly motivated by external pressure and internal anxiety, which means the children can ultimately end up losing out in some profound ways, even when they are the winners. The documentary ‘Race To Nowhere’ is worth a watch.

Research is also showing that stress hormones such as cortisol being frequently pumped through brains and bodies, especially ones that are still forming, can impart permanent damage, both neurological as well as physical. This alone is a good reason for educators and parents to put thought, conversation and then policies in place to make sure these competitions are indeed positive and balanced for the kids engaged in them, and that they aren’t spending their school years getting way too little sleep while simultaneously experiencing chronically elevated stress levels.