Valedictorian crowned 4 years after graduation

Parent Cafe
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<p>Here is a great story for CC. This kid thought something was wrong 4 years ago when he was #2 and his good friend and future roommate at Duke was #1, but he didn’t cry and he didn’t threaten a lawsuit. Four years later the mistake was discovered and he got a letter of apology from his hs along with a valedictorian medal. </p>

<p>Best part to me was no tears and no lawsuits. Can you imagine? :D</p>

<p>[He’s</a> Providence High’s valedictorian - four years late | CharlotteObserver.com](<a href=“http://www.charlotteobserver.com/597/story/600782.html]He’s”>http://www.charlotteobserver.com/597/story/600782.html)</p>

2

<p>Yes, it is nice that the family is taking a high road about this really upsetting error. I can relate to this one, but won’t share what happened, lol. Let’s just say, it probably would have made a difference in scholarship and merit aid, but who knows…I’m sure people will tell me I’m wrong. I have seen some really really terrible behavior by teachers and administrators of a high school, jump through hoops to try to get the "chosen’ kid to be val…but, they just couldn’t fudge the numbers enough to make it happen. But, its hurtful to the kid who rightfully earned the spot. The thing is, at that slight of a difference it may seem like nothing, but…it actually is.</p>

3

<p>Bet this used to happen more than you think. Now with most transcripts and GPA’s computerized, it is not as likely.</p>

4

<p>“Now with most transcripts and GPA’s computerized, it is not as likely.”</p>

<p>I graduated in the mid-70’s. We got a printout of our transcript with every report card, with GPA and class rank calculated to four digits.</p>

5

<p>But forgot to add, congrats to the kid and his family and thanks for taking the high road.</p>

6

<p>In the middle of my son’s junior year in HS, we got his transcript with his GPA calculated to the fourth decimal place. Since I’m somewhat obsessive and had been doing the calculations manually every marking period, I saw right away that it was wrong. I brought it to the GC’s attention and showed her my Excel spreadsheet. She agreed with me, but it took several months (!!) until they got it right. It didn’t include a grade for a HS course he took the summer before ninth grade, because their computer program didn’t go back that far – just started in Fall of freshman year. </p>

<p>Caveat emptor. Or something.</p>

7

<p>I found a mistake in my son’s transcript too. It was missing a grade for sophomore year physics. Unfortunately all his pre 9th grade HS courses were there!</p>

8

<p>We’ve had two similar “mistakes” come to light in our public school system over the last several years. It’s also become clear that those “mistakes” were anything but innocent. No one was even admonished.</p>

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<p>thanks toblin…it was a really tough thing for us to keep our mouths shut and just know that cream will rise to the top…lol. old saying but true…in this case it was right on</p>

10

<p>No wonder colleges “recalculate” GPAs their own way. Maybe they know better.</p>

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<p>If he did go the lawsuit route, would you bash him? </p>

<p>I wouldn’t. He was rightly owed that honor and was not given it due to a careless error. So filing a lawsuit is somehow out of bounds? Righting a wrong is justified and if a lawsuit is the required process, then so be it.</p>

12

<p>Sometimes the errors aren’t careless; they are intentional.</p>

13

<p>^^^^ Do you have an example of when this was true?</p>

14

<p>^^^Actually, in Fort Lee, NJ the new head of the guidance department has found changes on transcripts, made by the guidance counsellors, going back at least 6 years. The principal was suspended, the investigation continues. This was apparently done without the knowledge of parents or students.
See:wcbstv.com/local/fort.lee.high.2.950633.html</p>