High School Halts Publication of Honor Roll

[Jenn! 918]

NEEDHAM, Mass. -- Needham High School has abandoned its long-standing practice of publishing the names of students who make the honor roll in the local newspaper.

Principal Paul Richards said a key reason for stopping the practice is its contribution to students' stress level in "This high expectations-high-achievement culture."

The proposal to stop publishing the honor roll came from a parent. Richards took the issue before the school council, which approved it. Parents were notified of the decision last month. Richards said he received about 60 responses from both parents and students and the feedback has been evenly split for and against.

Richards said one parent with three children attending Needham High told him publishing the honor roll is a constant cause of stress in her family. According to that parent, one of the three students routinely made the honor roll while the other two did not.

Another parent who didn't want his name used said his two youngsters, a senior and a junior at Needham High, both consistently received honors and high honors. He said he, "took special pride in opening the newspaper and seeing his kids names." He said he could also see how the publishing of names could put stress on other kids who did not make it.

Richards said publishing of the honor roll represented "an unhealthy focus on grades." He pointed out that there are lots of other ways that students achieve, such as in clubs, musicals, concerts, athletics and community service.

He said the ranking of students solely based on grades goes against the school's overall mission which is to "promote learning."

The decision to drop publishing the honor roll comes at a time when the Needham High community is dealing with heartache. Last month, two seniors were killed in a car crash. Last spring, a Needham High student committed suicide.

The Needham Times has traditionally published the school's honor roll. Editor-in-Chief Greg Reibman said the paper has "always been interested in recognizing the achievements of all Needham students -- not just in academics but in sports, the arts, community service, and in any other way."

"We understand that the school is trying hard to deal with some enormous challenges. I don't think anyone believes this alone is going to solve some of these very tough issues, but we respect the decision of the experts who certainly have the students' best interests in mind," Reibman said.

Needham High's principal said the decision to no longer publish the honor roll is not nailed in cement. Richards said it is "subject to review." He said, "We'll go through this year without it and assess the impact on the school culture."

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/education/...779/detail.html

I think this is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. How about you?

[almaty 19]

stupid idiot chopf##k school

[Sinergy 3]

Nothing surprises me anymore

Edited December 12, 2006 by EdandTara

[Savanphil 3]

The parent that suggested its kid prolly never has and never will be on the honor roll anyway.......What a crock

[one...two...tree 2,762]

hmmm...I think the principal makes an interesting argument (an unhealthy focus on grades), however, instead of not publishing the honor roll, why not also publish names of students who've achieved in other areas?

I do remember some of my friends who were honor students in HS - and as I recall, on more than one occasion there were pleas with a particular teacher asking for make-up tests or extra credit just to keep the perfect grade.

[Irisheyes 0]

I think it's time everyone had a mandatory frontal lobotomy performed at birth. That way no one can be offended, discriminated against or upset by anything ever again. We will all be the lifeless zombies everybody seems to be pushing for. Yay, what fun that'll be!

Oh and while we're at it, let's make it enforcable by law that all kids get picked for the football/baseball team/cheerleading squad so kids will never have to learn how to deal with disappointment or learn that results are not a right but must be earned!

Edited December 12, 2006 by Irisheyes

[Alex+R 0]

Actually, while I don't think not publishing the honor roll is going to make a big difference, what's wrong with trying to make the atmosphere in high schools a little less competitive?

People keep saying they want their children to stay children longer than American society wants to let them, but then they push them to get all these achievements in school and be in 67 activities.

hmmm...I think the principal makes an interesting argument (an unhealthy focus on grades), however, instead of not publishing the honor roll, why not also publish names of students who've achieved in other areas?

The paper said they cover achievements in all areas (sports, arts, etc.) which I believe is probably true since our local paper here is probably similar.

[mawilson 2,133]

Actually, while I don't think not publishing the honor roll is going to make a big difference, what's wrong with trying to make the atmosphere in high schools a little less competitive?

What's wrong with competitive? Children who are not competitive are not going to get anywhere in life.

People keep saying they want their children to stay children longer than American society wants to let them, but then they push them to get all these achievements in school and be in 67 activities.

Good!

[Alex+R 0]

I don't know, as someone who ended up with an anxiety disorder and an eating disorder from all that pressure, I can't say I felt that it was great.

I wish I had been playing outside in 3rd grade and not being pushed to be a math star when I hated math.

[CarolineM 0]

As a high school guidance counselor - I can tell you it's not the SCHOOLS that make it so high pressure - it's college.

The University of Florida used to be everyon'e fall back school. IT was easy to get in. NOW, you have to have at least a 1300 SAT score and a 4.3 GPA.

College admissions is a HARD process these days...

My old school where I used to work had an ABC honor roll. Grades are so arbitrary anyway...really.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Actually, while I don't think not publishing the honor roll is going to make a big difference, what's wrong with trying to make the atmosphere in high schools a little less competitive?

What's wrong with competitive? Children who are not competitive are not going to get anywhere in life.

Competition has it's place, but when it comes to learning - is it about who learns the most with the greatest effeciency or is it about understanding the world around you? Does the wise man give the finger when someone less wise aks for his advice?

[Jenn! 918]

But why shouldn't excellence be recognized? I don't understand why *not* making the honor roll should be such a stressful thing.

[mawilson 2,133]

I don't know, as someone who ended up with an anxiety disorder and an eating disorder from all that pressure, I can't say I felt that it was great.

I wish I had been playing outside in 3rd grade and not being pushed to be a math star when I hated math.

What can I say, life is not an easy ride.

It's either an anxiety disorder and a successful career, or "playing outside" and struggling for the rest of your life.

[CarolineM 0]

Also this is setting children up for unrealistic expectations...you think that there's no competition in college? in a job? In the army? In the military you have to WORK and excel to get promotions...take tests even. College? come on. Why should we raise children to think that competition is not a part of life???

But why shouldn't excellence be recognized? I don't understand why *not* making the honor roll should be such a stressful thing.

[Alex+R 0]

I don't know, as someone who ended up with an anxiety disorder and an eating disorder from all that pressure, I can't say I felt that it was great.

I wish I had been playing outside in 3rd grade and not being pushed to be a math star when I hated math.

What can I say, life is not an easy ride.

It's either an anxiety disorder and a successful career, or "playing outside" and struggling for the rest of your life.

I don't think so. As I got older, I enjoyed competition. But I had my own life and was able to evaluate it on terms other than those of my parents and teachers.

As a kid, you're pretty much worthless if you don't succeed in the ways your small environment has set up for you. Where I lived, succeeding "outside the box" was not really ok.