<p>Yep, I’m on the other end of the Island though.</p>
<p>I don’t think it should be a single teacher choosing who receives the awards. That can easily smack of favoritism. Our process is each teacher nominates outstanding students based on pre-established criteria, then the department decides on a “ranking” for these students. If only one teacher thinks you’re deserving, you’re “distinguished”; if four or more do, then you’re “superior” with ranks in between.</p>
<p>This discussion reminds me of something that happened in the middle school years. In an attempt to reward good students, the principal sent out letters to students who had improved their GPA by a certain amount - maybe .25 or something - inviting them to a breakfast. Kids who’d gotten perfect GPAs the previous year, or very nearly, weren’t eligibile, until the teachers pointed out that the top students in the school weren’t being recognized and a second letter went out. These things are tricky even if the person in charge thinks it through.<br>
I agree wholeheartedly with ReneeV’s take on the ‘dangers’ of self-esteem.</p>
<p>why not excellence for excellence’s sake? what, these kids have no internal motivation and somehow getting an award at the end of the year, going woohoo? </p>
<p>I think when we talk about self esteem, etc., well, it is something that needs to be dealt and worked on on a daily basis, not at some award ceremony at the end of the year, and with all the inherent problems we have seen, what is the point?</p>
<p>those kids that are doing well know they are and will do the work because they want to, not for an award, and those that need to work harder, well, time and thought should be spent there</p>
<p>it is good to award the good kids, but coming up with pseudo awards, eh, the good kids will usually ne good anyway</p>
<p>it is better to deal with the bad kids as things happen, and not punish a whole class for a few bad apples and then think some awards later will make up for it</p>
<p>kids are stupid and see what is going on</p>
<p>I guess I want to be perfectly clear- the awards at my daughter’s high school are not self-esteem awards. At the elementary and middle school, the majority of the awards are for self-esteem (I’m with ReneeV…not quite sure how to term it). Academic achievement and excellence are what is being rewarded at the HS level. It 's more than just having a high GPA or best average in the class…it’s about going above and beyond with demonstrated interest and achievement outside the classroom in one way shape or form. Awards given for “most improved” and the like are meaningless as far as I am concerned and devalue the achievements of those students who have worked hard to excel.</p>
<p>to all the reporters, she meant to write ‘kids are NOT stupid’ and if anyone has been offended deep apologies for the misunderstanding,…</p>
<p>I think she meant that.</p>
<p>In elementary school when the awards sure seemed to be about esteem - my son never got a math award despite being three years ahead of the curriculum - awards were considered completely meaningless. Should my son who went from a first grade reading level to a sixth grade level practically overnight in second grade have gotten an award - I don’t think so - that was just his learning style. In fact, the more I read this thread the more anti-award I am becoming!</p>
<p>I actually think the most important aspect is that the criteria be clear. Awards given on a strictly numbers basis are fine (my D has gotten some of those each year), as are awards where teachers look at discretionary factors. I just think it’s important for the teachers to follow the rules. I think when someone who is clearly not the best student gets the numbers award, it’s obviously that the rules weren’t followed. Most kids and paretns (although not everyone) will also respect selections for discretionary awards as long as the rules are made clear. If there is an underlying academic element in an award, as for some scholarship programs, the students under consideration should all meet those criteria before objective criteria are considered. Again, in my experience, mose people can respect decisions in such a case.</p>
<p>I think the OP’s school is to be commended for realizing that the process needed to be looked at. Even if it was fair, clarifying factors being considered might make things less controversial in the future.</p>
<p>Here’s a question though – does anyone else’s high school elect their Vals? That’s the case at our HS. Seems to me they should call it something other than Val. since to most people that implies someone who is at the top of the class academically. Having said that, we know what the criteria are (none) at least and knowing that there is never any dissappointment when Val. is announced right before graduation.</p>
<p>My high school elected the person we wanted to speak at graduation. We didn’t call her the valedictorian though.</p>
<p>An anecdote and some thoughts: </p>
<p>One year in elementary school (small, private) my son didn’t get an award he obviously deserved. It was explained to me later by the principal that he had already received one award and they didn’t think it was “fair” for him to receive another. Meanwhile people were wondering, how could this kid not be receiving an award everyone knew he was the best choice for? </p>
<p>That was the year, I remember, everyone got some sort of award, and it became obvious most of them were made up for the occasion. Self-esteem awards, we called them. </p>
<p>In the HS, however, there were definite conditions for subject awards–GPA, attending club meetings, class participation, etc. And no one teacher made the decisions. </p>
<p>Sure, some kids got more than one award and many kids got none. Another night is for sports awards and again, there are winners and “losers.” But I think parents have to help their children know their strengths and find ways to stand out in something. A lot of kids who are otherwise average are the best office helpers, school-spirited student council reps, tutors, Key Club members etc. They raise money for breast cancer or throw parties for inner-city children. Some “average” students in HS turn out to be the most successful in business because of their people skills. Other kids don’t come out of their shells until college.</p>
<p>I guess I’m saying awards are nice to put on your college apps, but they’re not the last word in success.</p>
<p>Why has this thread been moved to the cafe? It is about academic awards in high school.</p>
<p>So, how’s it feel to be slummin’ in the back room, between the kitchen and the bathroom?</p>
<p>Ended up on a stool in the cafe even though you called ahead with reservations for VIP seating…punked.</p>
<p>Feels a little sleazy. I kinda like it.
</p>
<p>…great: just drop you pinky–it’s a dead give away that you’re a vicarious poser.</p>