Some High Schools Avoid Valedictorians

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STEVE INSKEEP, host:

Well, as graduating high school seniors prepare to say goodbye to their hometowns, some high schools are saying goodbye to a senior class tradition - naming a valedictorian. Eden Prairie High School in Minnesota will graduate its last valedictorians this year. Next year exceptional students will receive just an honors diploma. Here's school principal Conn McCartan.

Mr. CONN McCARTAN (Principal, Eden Prairie High School, Minnesota): Instead of trying to achieve a certain rank on top of someone else, anyone who is able to reach the standard receives that honor. And that just seems to line up or closely with what you'd want to see in an academic setting.

INSKEEP: We learn more about this from Thomas Guskey, a professor of education at the University of Kentucky. He says Eden Prairie's decision is part of a national trend.

Professor THOMAS GUSKEY (University of Kentucky): Traditionally it's been the case when there was a single valedictorian that the few students who were in contention would begin plotting with their parents when they're in middle school what they had to do to gain that singular distinction. But now if multiple students can reach that very high level, students can form study teams and help each other gain the honor and helping someone else doesn't hurt your chances for success.

INSKEEP: And Guskey suspects this new policy will not put students at a disadvantage when they apply to college.

Prof. GUSKEY: They're looking at how many honors or advanced placement classes they've taken, how many advanced placement examinations they've taken, what's the highest level of math they've taken. Those types of criteria are much more predictive of success in college level classes than GPA or class rank.

INSKEEP: Now, that said, Jennifer Nicklay, a valedictorian at Eden Prairie High School this year, one of the last, says colleges definitely noticed her ranking.

Ms. JENNIFER NICKLAY (Valedictorian, Eden Prairie High School): I had several admissions counselors look up my application and go, whoa. And then they looked at my course schedules and it meant so much more.

INSKEEP: But her principal, Conn McCartan, believes the new system, without valedictorians, is the way to go.

Mr. McCARTAN: If you can get a point in time where you are honoring students for their academic success and it can represent the diverse paths to excellence, that's an honoring program that's worth pursuing.

INSKEEP: Eden Prairie High School principal Conn McCartan.

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