Posted by DRD #37 at dsl-65-188-246-138.telocity.com on June 20, 2002 at 10:23:18:
In Reply to: Also in california.... posted by The Bastard on June 20, 2002 at 10:03:21:
The whole point of the valedictorian prize, awards for achievements in sports and school-sponsored events, and even the grading system is to give the student(s) who actually put forth effort and show a degree of skill and competence a better chance at getting into college and making something of themselves. By doing away with the valedictorian award, they are hurting the self-esteem and motivation of most of the smart, hard-working students who actually expect rewards for their achievements. By doing away with such things as the valedictorian, they are practically doing away with any reason one would have to work hard in school to make something of himself, inadvertently increasing the number of high school drop-outs and failed students. It's truly a sad time we live in when the entire purpose of school is sacrificed for the feelings of conservative, politically correct parents who don't want their underachieving children to have low self-esteem.