Bill Text: HI HCR137 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requesting The Board Of Education To Amend Its Policy On Valedictorian Designation To Exclusively Recognize Students With Exceptional Academic Achievements, As Demonstrated By Their Academic Honors, Grade Point Average, And Performance In Rigorous Academic Courses.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2024-03-21 - The committee(s) on EDN recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. [HCR137 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-HCR137-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.C.R. NO. |
137 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
requesting the Board of Education to amend its policy on valedictorian designation to exclusively recognize students with exceptional academic achievements, as demonstrated by their academic honors, grade point average, and performance in rigorous academic courses.
WHEREAS, the title of valedictorian traditionally represents the person who has reached the highest level of academic achievement within a graduating class; and
WHEREAS, for example, the Oxford English Dictionary, in part, defines "valedictorian" to mean "a student, typically having the highest academic achievements of the class . . ."; and
WHEREAS, academics, notably the core subjects of Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, and Science, are the most fundamental aspect of the education system and an individual demonstrating academic excellence in these fields reflects the exceptional dedication, intellectual rigor, and mastery of course content that deserves to be rightfully awarded; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Education's existing policy of valedictorian designation allows a student to be declared a valedictorian if the following criteria are met:
(1) Grade point average of 4.0; and
(2) Earned and met the requirements of one of the Honor Recognition Certificates; and
WHEREAS, the existing policy allows for the recognition of many students achieving the designation of valedictorian, especially students recognized for non-academic, career, or technical-based achievements, which may lessen the significance of the title of "valedictorian" and compromise the title's emphasis on academic excellence; and
WHEREAS, limiting valedictorian designation to students achieving academic honors in core classes would reinforce the importance of academic achievements, provide an incentive for students to succeed, and reward those who do; and
WHEREAS, an approach focusing on academic accomplishments aligns with the core purpose of the educational system and sends a clear message about the Department of Education's commitment to academic excellence; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, the Senate concurring, that the Board of Education is requested to amend its policy on valedictorian designation to exclusively recognize students with exceptional academic achievements, as demonstrated by their academic honors, grade point average, and performance in rigorous academic courses; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board is requested to review, discuss, and revise the policy on valedictorian designation to ensure that future valedictorians are selected based on their exceptional academic accomplishments in their core classes and have the incentive to succeed in school and future academic endeavors; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education and Superintendent of Education.
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OFFERED BY: |
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BOE; Valedictorian Designation Policy; Limitation
