Garnet Valley ready to kill off class rankings
CONCORD >> Garnet Valley School District is taking every necessary step in researching, evaluating and consulting with stakeholders on the issue of class rank. In all probability, the process of identifying placement of each graduate will be a thing of the past for the Class of 2020.
The decision is based on all relevant factors amassed under the direction of high school Assistant Principal Greg Hilden and College and Career Guidance Counselor Mike Salladino.
“Eliminating class rank has become the trend. Half the colleges in the country are not using rank in admissions decisions, but are looking at students in a more total way,” said School Board Director Tracy Karwaski at the October meeting. “We are among only a few local districts still with a ranking system.”
The majority of the county’s districts have dropped class rank; beyond that the practice is taking hold nationwide. According to a posting on CollegeBoard.org website, “Due to the tremendous differences in curricula and grading standards at different high schools, many admission officers (especially at selective private colleges) have begun to discount the accuracy and importance of class rank as a factor in evaluating students. Some colleges that used to rely on class rank now use SAT® scores and GPA.
“Most large state universities, however, still require applicants to report class rank (as do many scholarship programs) and rely on it to help sort through the high volume of applications received.”
Salladino echoed both those observations, and indicated that providing those rankings do some of college admissions officers’ work. More colleges are taking a holistic view of a student including grades, extra-curricular activities, work and community service experience and recommendations, Salladino said.
The student-centered factors are more compelling.
“One value of not ranking is that students can take a variety of courses, and follow passions and interests. Often they feel they must take certain courses with weighted grades for the numbers,” said Superintendent Marc Bertrando.
Colleges understandably view districts according to metrics, and it is fair to say schools vary in rigor and achievement by a student body. However, in a school like Garnet Valley, students at the very top in academic excellence can be separated by hundredths of a point. The number becomes more mathematical than totally representative of the individual.
Bertrando and Salladino both spoke of the social-emotional piece of this complicated puzzle.
“This competitiveness puts students under pressure, and there is a layer of anxiety we don’t need. We would rather have the opportunity to personalize their education and experience,” said Bertrando.
During the investigation of the issue, administrators have talked with and surveyed teachers, parents and students. Without knowing exactly what to expect, the response to dropping rank was overwhelmingly positive.
It can be argued that high-ranking students may have more at stake than any others. Salladino took a broad step and invited three high-ranking seniors and their parents. Students had the most compelling reaction.
“I asked what they would have done differently had there been no ranking number,” said Salladino.
One cited sacrificing advanced study of a world language because it wouldn’t have points. Another would have taken less history and fed a passion for math and science. A third did not pursue great interest music. Their decisions were made for fear of “never catching up” Salladino observed.
“The class rank system is very often only about knowing how to ‘play the game,’ and not the entire educational experience,” said Salladino.
The administration will continue its due diligence on the matter, but Bertrando said it is likely time to take action. Current seniors may well be the last to have that number attached to their permanent record.
Elsewhere in Delaware County, Springfield, Chichester and Upper Darby are believed to maintain the practice. Several other districts contacted could not provide an answer by filing.