| By Preston Mitchum - May 30th, 2008 at 5:19 pm EDT |
| Also listed in: Campus Progress Blog |
Tags: Anjali Datta, GCISD, grade point average, Grapevine High School, Tyler Franklin, valedictorian
Grapevine High School senior, Anjali Datta, holds the highest grade point average of her 471 person graduating class. Unfortunately, she will not receive the esteemed recognition of being the class valedictorian. Why you may ask – because she had the audacity to graduate high school in 3 years, instead of the 4 years, as indicated in the school district’s policy. As encouraged by guidance counselors, Datta started taking high school courses in middle school and was assured that if she had the highest grade point average, then she would be named valedictorian.
Although Datta’s grade point average of 5.898 is the highest of the school’s 103 year history, it is not enough to name her valedictorian, which brings a one-year college scholarship. Her closest competitor, Tyler Franklin, is graduating with a 5.640, which is a great accomplishment, but in no comparison to Datta’s. Ironically, there is no argument over who has the highest grade point average numerically; the disagreement is over something entirely different.
The school district’s policy states: “The valedictorian shall be the eligible student with the highest weighted grade-point average for four years of high school." The question for administrators is whether this means four calendar years of the students’ attendance, or completing the credits that should take students’ four years to earn? My answer definitely falls on the latter of the two.
While Franklin’s grade point average is incredible, it does not surpass that of Datta’s. Personally, it is sending a wrong message to students who want to do exceedingly well. I certainly understand that something could occur in her fourth year of school that would make her coursework suffer, but I seriously doubt that would deter her from her studies. People are writing on web logs saying “she needs to get a life,” “her parents are pressuring her,” or my personal favorite, “she needs to stop whining because she was not involved in anything else, but schoolwork.” Although someone balancing schoolwork, a social life, and extracurricular activities are admirable, like Franklin, the title of valedictorian is strictly about the highest grade point average. It is not about popularity – there are already superlatives for that. She is a phenomenal student and should be recognized as such. Did I forget to mention that she is being honored with an award for having a perfect ACT score as well?
“This really diminishes the value of the valedictorian title,” Datta said. I will wholeheartedly agree with her statement. I know there are people who do not understand why she may be “complaining” because she will still be receiving a scholarship to the University of Texas - Austin. Personally, that is not the point because she has rightfully earned her title as valedictorian.
Anjali’s father, Deepak Datta, was outraged when he heard of the news. "I have not heard of any educational institution penalizing a student for excellence – for completing a demanding set of classes 'too quickly,' " he said.”Anjali's experience will surely send a strong negative signal to other talented students trying to excel."
What makes this so sad to me is it seems that bureaucratic high school policies are more important than academic excellence. As said before, Franklin did an amazing job and should be recognized with the salutatorian title, but this policy should be revisited in case someone else does great work and graduates in three years. I wonder what would happen if a student with disabilities needs an extra year to get credits and earns the highest grade point average – would they receive the coveted valedictorian title? It does not appear so.
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I'd have to argue that the real problem here is a high stress education system that rewards competition instead of cooperation. When you have two people who clearly worked so hard, the idea that one is the "winner" and the other "the loser" is just silly.
I wholeheartedly agree with what you are saying. From reading more into the matter, I believe they are awarding her with something called "Valedictorian - three year graduate." I understand this is a good thing, but for some reason, it seems like they are only trying to appease the family as if nothing went wrong in the first place and that she should be happy because at least she is getting something.
I just hope everything ends up working out for the best - for both of the families. I say that because I know this must be embarassing for Mr. Franklin. Thanks for reading my post!
This BONEHEADED DECISION reflects badly on Grapevine HS, it's school board members, and to the city that supports them. Let's not forget how SPINELESS the "hardworking" State level educational beauracracy is shown here too. But I am sure they are "too occupied" to care and thus will unfortunately have to pass the buck right along. INSANE! These standards are UNACCEPTABLE!
Miss Anjali should be REWARDED the CLASS VALEDICTORIAN title and the accompanying scholarship, even though ironically she may not need it. And Mr. Franklin should receive that "special" VALEDICTORIAN 4 YEAR title.
These BACKWARD JOES on the school board over at Grapevine HS wrongfully interpreted this policy that was originally designed to CALM THEIR FEARS of others doing better than "their own" ; )
They are CLEARLY telling the ENTIRE WORLD that, "If your sonnn or daughtah( use a HICK Texan / Chief Gillespie voice) evahh (ever) wants to attend school out in these here parts and so decides to accelerate their learnin or "books", and just so happens to have the highest GPA in tha classroom (a lot of these school board members still think they still teach all the kids in just one wooden floor classroom, and with bibles too, lol!), well then (spits tobaccah on your shoes) they AIN'T EVAHH (ever) gonna be OUR CLASS VALEDICTORIAN!"
Therefore, I am OFFICALLY ASKING FOR an all out BAN on ANYTHING that has to do with the city of Grapevine, TX. Restaurants, movies, games, shops. EVERYTHING! I'd rather spend my money in Cuba.
This school district is being run by incompetnent, boneheaded people who have done a wonderful job in setting an example as to how to de-motivate students from pursuing excellence.