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GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — School officials are considering eliminating class rank at Grand Island Senior High.
The Grand Island Independent (http://bit.ly/1Zlji0s ) reports that consideration was prompted by the Millard and Seward school districts getting rid of the class ranking system.
Associate Superintendent Robin Dexter said the primary reason for the discussion is that there is a concern that students may be enrolling in courses to boost their rank, regardless of whether those courses align with their college and career plans.
According to Dexter, preliminary research shows that some universities and colleges are moving away from class rank, believing that the ranking might be inflated.
"The research we've got back from colleges is they are really looking at that application essay — can a student write?" Dexter said.
Dexter said that the school is looking into whether Latin designations could give colleges an understanding of a student's relative ranking in their graduating class.
Dexter said students already enrolled at the school would not be affected if the class rank was eliminated.
The associate superintendent said she wants to speak with students who graduated from the high school to see if taking Advanced Placement and honors courses to boost their ranking was beneficial for them now that they are in college. Advance Placement and honors courses are weighted, and some colleges give credit to students who pass the Advanced Placement test.
According to Dexter, officials are considering only weighting AP classes and that more definite criteria to determine which students are eligible to take the rigorous courses is needed.
"Some students can't handle the rigor of an AP course," Dexter said.
Sophomore Lauren Frankforter , who is currently ranked No. 1 in her class, said that she plans to take a full slate of Advanced Placement courses, but would favor the school switching to a system of giving students Latin designations.
She said that she also wants to do a focus group with parents about class rank.
A final recommendation on the matter may not come until March.
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Information from: The Grand Island Independent, http://www.theindependent.com
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