Suggestions for HS academic awards criteria

epiphany
Sun, 05 Nov 2006 08:19:02 +0000

I agree with ucla_dad, for a number of reasons. First, I do not believe in either holding back awards for the sake of others’ “feelings,” nor bestowing false awards for the sake of anyone’s feelings. The key is to ensure that both at the end of the year, and in other settings/occasions during the year, abundant opportunity is given for any student to shine, who wishes to shine & can shine. I like the way our school does acknowledge different aspects of accomplishment throughout the year, & culminating @ graduation. There are varieties of school & school-sponsored contests (some academic, some artistic, some athletic, some leadership, some community service). And at the end of the year some of the non-academic areas are also subject to award – not duplicating earlier awards.

If a student truly has “swept” several academic categories, for example, the honest thing is to award that student. In our school it also solves the problem, if it were to exist (which normally it doesn’t) – of a conflict between an unweighted & weighted GPA Val. If theoretically a person achieved UW Val, a student with a more challenging curriculum but one-tenth of a point less in GPA (since the school does not weight), would undoubtedly be granted one or several impressive academic awards, whereas a Val who sought few challenges would not be further recognized.

At my d’s graduation I felt that there was plenty of praise to go around, without patronizing anyone or over-rewarding anyone.

There is also an award for Diligence. It is called that & is not considered anything patronizing or apologetic. It is something to be very proud of. The whole ceremony was very dignified & respectful to all the graduates.