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[Dyle]

Not sure about where you went to school but in my small town AP classes weren't extra cost except maybe taking the AP test at the end of the quarter which in no way effected your grade. But along the whole point I agree, Halfway through my highschool we switched from 7 to 10 point scale and honors being on the 5.0 along with AP. No adjustments were made for kids already on the scale so it was fair except for a grade against grade comparison. However I know of a kid that was obsessed with grades being qa year ahead in math with me cheating by fixing his answers after the teacher graded it and claiming it they were grading wrong. The teacher quickly caught on cause while there were the occasional error brought to her attention over the year by the students. His was supposedly wrong every test. Someone more savvy could have gotten away with it once or twice in the year and effected their place in the standings. Plus the system encourages kids to play teachers pets to gain a few points in the more subjective subjects where essays and graded projects are a big deal. Plus finally it encourages those who don't need EC to grovel for it and get opportunists to gain a few points just for the sake of the prize.

Many of the APs at my high school effectively taught out of AP prep books that had to be bought separately. Add on the costs of the tests, which were optional but still highly encouraged, and many essentially saw the classes as costing an extra $120 or so each. They technically could take the class for nothing extra, but the implication was clear that they wouldn't do as well. Not a huge amount, but enough to break the bank for some who already had to pay for ACT/SAT tests, college applications, etc.

 

[Aztechnology]

No.

I guess on her resume she would have to put "co-valedictorian"and that sucks? Doesn't make sense because it's still a great accomplishment.

Uhh we had multiple Valedictorian. I'm pretty sure you just put "Valedictorian" on your resume. Also I can't remember, do RIP scores, at least that's what we called the course rigor score factor in? Like they would take not only the GPA but the course difficult average into account. I'm not saying anything specifically. I just remember there were quite a few kids with 4.0 grades who were not Valedictorians.

 

[KarneeKarnay]

I think the GPA might be an overreach, but there is definitely something screwy with the co-valedictorian.


In a school were, if the article is to be believed, has never given a co-v in it's history...

I would be pissed.

 

[faint.]

I'm confused. Are they both co-valedictorian alongside the real valedictorian? Or did the school decide to split up the valedictorian into two (co) and give it to both of these students? I feel like naming them both valedictorian would have made more sense.

 

[reggieandTFE]

Valedictorian and Salutatorian were determined by the highest GPA after the 1st semester of Senior year at my high school. I had been 1st in the class since freshmen year and got straight As again the first semester of my senior year and saw my class rank fall to 2. My mom was pissed and went in to talk to the superintendent to see what happened. It turned out that the person who passed me had been given credit for a special education night class at a community college despite the fact that she shouldn't have been according to school rules. They reinstated me and I gave an awesome speech.

The funny thing is my mom is one of those 'by the book' rule followers who never challenged or complained about anything. If I got in trouble, it was always my fault. She went to bat on this for some reason.

 

[adamsappel]

Gives me the feeling the mother might just be a lunatic. I cannot believe someone would write something like this in the civilised world in the year 2017.

In this moment, are you euphoric?

 

[Tripolygon]

For non US residents who don't understand the importance of GPA in the US. My college and University tuition was payed for because I had a high enough GPA. The higher it is, the more free money and scholarships you get offered by different schools and organizations. I'm not saying it is right, I'm just saying it is pretty important. My GPA dropped a few points and I lost a big chunk of free money.

GPA can mean the difference between you being in debt and graduating without any student loan.

 

[Yoshi]

In this moment, are you euphoric?

Well, euphoric would be pushing it, but at 2:09 PM, the time you wrote the post, I had a pretty nice meal, so I was happy at least.

Regarding the facebook postings: I was halfway between shocked and amused. It is incredibly hilarious that someone would write something like this in a serious context. Since we are also on the topic of education this is extra funny to me. This kind of crazy extremist talk I haven't even seen in priests around here, so it certainly is outstanding for me.

EDIT @danhese007: Due to the extreme cost associated with education in the US, it is of course more important, relatively speaking, but in many other states, student grants are aossiciated with GPA as well. E.g. at our school in Germany, the best four students (not necessarily the ones with the best grades, the two students with best grades and two additional ones, who were selected by the headmaster by undisclosed cirteria, were selected) were suggested to the state's student grant organisation. When you get suggested, you go to a selection seminar that spans a week and if you perform well (no tests, just personal discussions and presentations, it is a personal evaluation independent of GPA or test results; they assume everyone who is there has top grades), you get a grant. However, the grant (pending a valuation after the fourth semester) then is permanent for the full studies, e.g. I only had to send them my intermediate results, but as long as I was in the top 10% of the studies (and had positive letters by professors) at the time of valuation, the grant was fixed until the end of studies.

 

[Dude Abides]

Pretty shitty if the school did this, but suing a year later is petty. Also not sure she has a claim. How was her daughter harmed?

 

[Tripolygon]

Well, euphoric would be pushing it, but at 2:09 PM, the time you wrote the post, I had a pretty nice meal, so I was happy at least.

Regarding the facebook postings: I was halfway between shocked and amused. It is incredibly hilarious that someone would write something like this in a serious context. Since we are also on the topic of education this is extra funny to me. This kind of crazy extremist talk I haven't even seen in priests around here, so it certainly is outstanding for me.

That facebook post is not extremist, it is rather the normal here. Its Jesus this and Jesus that all day everyday.

I didn't have to do any sort of those things you mentioned, i just simply had to have a GPA above 3.0 to get a decent amount of money. Students with mid 2.0s get some tuition assistance as well but the organizations that offer big money require high 3.0s. I didn't have to be recommended i just had to make an effort to apply and i got it.

 

[F34R]

Pretty shitty if the school did this, but suing a year later is petty. Also not sure she has a claim. How was her daughter harmed?

Agreed, and in my opinion, if I were in this situation, I'd simply be proud my daughter achieved what she did.

 

[Tripolygon]

Agreed, and in my opinion, if I were in this situation, I'd simply be proud my daughter achieved what she did.

You don't have any idea how degrading it is to be told your best is only as good as someone else's second best even when clearly you are better, American history is rife with this when it comes to black people. She is proud of her daughter that is why i think she is doing this. As for if she is telling the truth, i don't know, only a court and people who have access to both GPA's can tell.

 

[F34R]

You don't have any idea how degrading it is to be told your best is only as good as someone else's second best even when clearly you are better, American history is rife with this when it comes to black people. She is proud of her daughter that is why i think she is doing this. As for if she is telling the truth, i don't know, only a court and people who have access to both GPA's can tell.

You don't know the first thing about my life, so why would you make such an assumption. I grew up being discriminated against, no matter how well I did with something. All the way through my 20th birthday I have had to deal with it. I lost full scholarships to the University of South Carolina (soccer) because of it. That was when I said I had to do something to change the way things were done in law enforcement so that others in my community didn't have to suffer from the things I did.

 

[RangerX]

Can someone explain to a non American exactly what a Valedictorian is and why it's important?

 

[JetBlackPanda]

Can someone explain to a non American exactly what a Valedictorian is and why it's important?

Highest GPA in your graduating class. Along with honors for clubs and sports at some schools.

It's a trophy to put on your resume and it helps with college acceptance and student loans.

They give a speech at graduation.

 

[elrechazado]

Dumb lawsuit, even if true she's not harmed

 

[RangerX]

Highest GPA in your graduating class. Along with honors for clubs and sports at some schools.

It's a trophy to put on your resume and it helps with college acceptance and student loans.

They give a speech at graduation.

Ah ok cheers.

 

[guggnichso]

Highest GPA in your graduating class. Along with honors for clubs and sports at some schools.

It's a trophy to put on your resume and it helps with college acceptance and student loans.

They give a speech at graduation.

Ok, so what’s the point of this lawsuit then? The girl can clearly put it on her resume, no matter if someone else can do it too? IF it turns out the other girl has indeed a lower GPA (which is hard to believe as this would be documented and easily found out if true), life will not be in any way better for the girl and her mother. Just a little bit worse for the other girl, right?

Weird stuff.

 

[Earthstrike]

Dumb lawsuit, even if true she's not harmed

There needs to exist societal enforcement of anti-discrimination laws. They are a pretty important component of progress. The fact is, this school only desegregated a year ago. It's incredibly reasonable to expect pointless latent racism to still be present.

 

[gtj1092]

My ex wife is from Cleveland, MS. After having to travel there every year for 7 years I'm inclined to believe the mother about the GPA. And wouldn't believe any evidence presented by the school.

 

[Pagusas]

Our community wasn't even that small but it was well known in our class who had the highest grades. Three of us had all As until junior year, when one dodged the harder English teacher (known for not giving As much). I got the A from the harder teacher, the second got a B, and the one who dodged ended up getting a B in another class. Leaving me. Everyone was watching to see if I'd crack senior year and drop an A making it a three way tie again.

I didn't.

But the point is, these standings can be very competitive and as a result everyone at the top knows everyone else's grades.

This post made me spit out my drink laughing. High school, such stupid silly drama. "Everyone was watching to see if I'd crack" lmao.

 

[Lundren]

Dumb lawsuit, even if true she's not harmed

Dumb lawsuit, even if true she's just learning her place as a minority.

/s

 

[elrechazado]

There needs to exist societal enforcement of anti-discrimination laws. They are a pretty important component of progress. The fact is, this school only desegregated a year ago. It's incredibly reasonable to expect pointless latent racism to still be present.

That didn't address whether there was harm to the plaintiff, which is a fundamental requirement.

Dumb lawsuit, even if true she's just learning her place as a minority.

/s

What? Her place as valedictorian?

 

[rjinaz]

That didn't address whether there was harm to the plaintiff, which is a fundamental requirement.

What? Her place as valedictorian?

Don't be obtuse, her place beside a White person but never above them.

I don't know if this happened or not but if it did it's messed up.

 

[elrechazado]

Don't be obtuse, her place beside a White person but never above them.

I don't know if this happened or not but if it did it's messed up.

Co valedictorian is a real thing. "I don't have facts but if the worst case scenario is true it's bad". Ok

 

[Yoshi]

That facebook post is not extremist, it is rather the normal here. Its Jesus this and Jesus that all day everyday.

How is this not extremist? She at the same time belittles and elevates her daughter by her talk, by making her achievements less of her achievements and more of a tool for a god, while at the same time elevating her to some sort of deity's darling. She's having a dispute over whether someone else got honours that the other person may not have had the right to get and is calling it a fight for some god and in the name of some god. How is this not extremist? What would an extremist viewpoint actually look like? If it was a muslim who was writing this, I assume a whole lot of people would be concerned it would be the next person with a bomb belt. Now, please do not misunderstand: I do not want to claim she is about to harm anyone, but this is more than just believing there is some magic earth creator, this is downright middle ages level of "everything is controlled by god". If this is standard in the US, I would certainly feel very estranged talking to people in the US.

 

[teruterubozu]

How is this not extremist? She at the same time belittles and elevates her daughter by her talk, by making her achievements less of her achievements and more of a tool for a god, while at the same time elevating her to some sort of deity's darling. She's having a dispute over whether someone else got honours that the other person may not have had the right to get and is calling it a fight for some god and in the name of some god. How is this not extremist? What would an extremist viewpoint actually look like? If it was a muslim who was writing this, I assume a whole lot of people would be concerned it would be the next person with a bomb belt. Now, please do not misunderstand: I do not want to claim she is about to harm anyone, but this is more than just believing there is some magic earth creator, this is downright middle ages level of "everything is controlled by god". If this is standard in the US, I would certainly feel very estranged talking to people in the US.

Well then you will feel estranged. Tons of God/Jesus/'murica posts on Facebook as we approach 4th of July.

 

[Tripolygon]

You don't know the first thing about my life, so why would you make such an assumption. I grew up being discriminated against, no matter how well I did with something. All the way through my 20th birthday I have had to deal with it. I lost full scholarships to the University of South Carolina (soccer) because of it. That was when I said I had to do something to change the way things were done in law enforcement so that others in my community didn't have to suffer from the things I did.

Apologies and i'm happy for you, you overcame your obstacles and decided to change things for others. Not an excuse but it was just a general statement not directed at you personally. I suppose you do know why she would fight to make sure her daughter knows she is the best rather than just as good as second. And just to be clear, i have no idea if she is right but i understand what she is fighting for.

 

[Tripolygon]

How is this not extremist? She at the same time belittles and elevates her daughter by her talk, by making her achievements less of her achievements and more of a tool for a god, while at the same time elevating her to some sort of deity's darling.

She is belittling her daughter's achievement (not really) in the same way after a football game, they thank god for helping them win, or the same way when an actor wins an Oscar they thank god or when an artist wins a Grammy they thank god. It is something people do, does not take away from the achievement.

 

[F34R]

Apologies and i'm happy for you, you overcame your obstacles and decided to change things for others. Not an excuse but it was just a general statement not directed at you personally. I suppose you do know why she would fight to make sure her daughter knows she is the best rather than just as good as second. And just to be clear, i have no idea if she is right but i understand what she is fighting for.

I wild go to the admin and see if they could get the other parents involved to show how the scores were calculated and just set it at ease, and if they refused, then go through the courts if I had serious info that leads me to believe my daughter was slighted.

No apology necessary, but appreciated.

 

[K.Jack]

Let's state facts.

This was the first time, in 110 years, that they've done a co-valedictorian.

There's no way this was the first time, in 110 years, that 2 students had the same GPA.

That is the long and short of it, yeah?

 

[Sean C]

Dumb lawsuit, even if true she's not harmed

Co valedictorian is a real thing.

It depends on the situation. If this school has never had a co-valedictorian before and they suddenly instituted one at the very year it would have gone to a black student for the first time, then yeah, that is incredibly suspect.

But in this case, the school is claiming that the two students had equal GPAs. That's either true, or it isn't. If the school lied about that, then they're going to pay through the nose.

And yes, racially discriminating against a student is inherently harmful, both to the student and to society.

There's no way this was the first time, in 110 years, that 2 students had the same GPA.

Not necessarily, no (particularly since, one imagines, the method of calculation has been different over the years).

 

[Harpuia]

Isn't a co valecdictorian... a salutatorian?

 

[elrechazado]

It depends on the situation. If this school has never had a co-valedictorian before and they suddenly instituted one at the very year it would have gone to a black student for the first time, then yeah, that is incredibly suspect.

But in this case, the school is claiming that the two students had equal GPAs. That's either true, or it isn't. If the school lied about that, then they're going to pay through the nose.

And yes, racially discriminating against a student is inherently harmful, both to the student and to society.


Not necessarily, no (particularly since, one imagines, the method of calculation has been different over the years).

Pay through the nose based on what theory of damages? Pay what?

 

[Xe4]

Isn't a co valecdictorian... a salutatorian?

No. Salutatorian is 2nd highest.

 

[F34R]

Let's state facts.

This was the first time, in 110 years, that they've done a co-valedictorian.

There's no way this was the first time, in 110 years, that 2 students had the same GPA.

That is the long and short of it, yeah?

That does raise some questions...

 

[Wafflecakes]

I didn't know anyone's GPA, but I did know all the kids who were in the running for valedictorian, and THEY all knew each other's GPAs. Particularly the top three, who are all aware that they are within striking range of Valedictorian and who their competitors are.

Suing's probably the only way to compel them to show the records, since they're legally bound not to divulge student information.

I am not sure even that is enough. FERPA is pretty strong about not sharing academic info without permission.

I doubt an angry mom is a good enough reason to pierce FERPA's privacy rules.



My guess is the case gets thrown out due to lack of evidence. All the lady seems to have is anecdotes that her daughter had a higher GPA.

 

[Miles Quaritch]

Not releasing the grades after this much publicity just confirms the story.

No reason to hide your grades if you were just as good, you should put that out there and let everyone know you were co-valedictorian because you earned it, not because the racist ass school couldn't stomach a black girl taking the spot.

 

[F34R]

Not releasing the grades after this much publicity just confirms the story.

No reason to hide your grades if you were just as good, you should put that out there and let everyone know you were co-valedictorian because you earned it, not because the racist ass school couldn't stomach a black girl taking the spot.

That's a BS line. Just because I didn't do anything wrong or something is legit, doesn't mean I should give up my right to privacy because someone is bitter. Let the court subpoena the records.

 

[Christhor]

Not releasing the grades after this much publicity just confirms the story.

No reason to hide your grades if you were just as good, you should put that out there and let everyone know you were co-valedictorian because you earned it, not because the racist ass school couldn't stomach a black girl taking the spot.

Guilty until proven innocent, eh?

 

[Miles Quaritch]

That's a BS line. Just because I didn't do anything wrong or something is legit, doesn't mean I should give up my right to privacy because someone is bitter. Let the court subpoena the records.

This didn't happen in a vacuum. First time there's a black girl at the top and they have their first ever co-valedictorian?

In a school that has a troubled history with integration?

Guilty until proven innocent, eh?

Isn't that the American way?

 

[NEO0MJ]

In a school were, if the article is to be believed, has never given a co-v in it's history...

I would be pissed.

This reminds me of how in the Apprentice the only time Trump ever asked the winner if they were willing to share the prize was when a black man won it.

 

[Wafflecakes]

Not releasing the grades after this much publicity just confirms the story.

No reason to hide your grades if you were just as good, you should put that out there and let everyone know you were co-valedictorian because you earned it, not because the racist ass school couldn't stomach a black girl taking the spot.

No it doesn't. Not even a little.

The school CANNOT legally release the grades without the permission of the student, and the other student has moved on with their life and probably isn't inclined to get involved.

 

[elrechazado]

No it doesn't. Not even a little.

The school CANNOT legally release the grades without the permission of the student, and the other student has moved on with their life and probably isn't inclined to get involved.

Let's not let facts get in the way of the fact free hot takes.

 

[Miles Quaritch]

No it doesn't. Not even a little.

The school CANNOT legally release the grades without the permission of the student, and the other student has moved on with their life and probably isn't inclined to get involved.

I was referring to the student, who will have heard about what's happening.

If she refuses to release her grades, doesn't paint a very good picture about her or the school.

 

[Fuchsdh]

I was referring to the student, who will have heard about what's happening.

If she refuses to release her grades, doesn't paint a very good picture about her or the school.

Why in the hell would she? There's absolutely no benefit to her.

People's existences are not about appeasing internet mobs.

Also interesting to hear about how many people knew everyone else's grades. At our school no one much cared, I guess because it was such a good school overall. I don't even remember who gave our speech.

 

[Wafflecakes]

I was referring to the student, who will have heard about what's happening.

If she refuses to release her grades, doesn't paint a very good picture about her or the school.

Why should she give a shit?

If she states her grades and they are equal or higher she will be called a liar. If she then releases a detailed breakdown her grades will be ripped to shreds for taking easier classes or some other BS.

If she states her grades and they are lower she will be called a fraud.


I wouldn't touch that shit with a 10 foot pole.





It is the job of the accuser to prove their case. Not the other girl.

 

[The Cowboy]

If she refuses to release her grades, doesn't paint a very good picture about her or the school.

She has done nothing wrong, and frankly with the media attention (and the internet mob the way it is) - i wouldn't blame her for staying well out of it.

Also you pretty much know if she did and the grade was different SHE would likely be harassed no end over it (despite her not giving herself the grade), and if the grade is infact the same people will claim the grade was changed or rip it to shreds.

I sure as hell wouldn't get myself involved, not with the way things our nowadays.

 

[Wafflecakes]

She has done nothing wrong, and frankly with the media attention (and the internet mob the way it is) - i wouldn't blame her for staying well out of it.

Also you pretty much know if she did and the grade was different SHE would likely be harassed no end over it (despite her not giving herself the grade), and if the grade is infact the same people will claim the grade was changed or rip it to shreds.

I sure as hell wouldn't get myself involved, not with the way things our nowadays.

Yup. This would be the INSTANT response to a release of grades.

"Well the school changed the grades because racism!"



...which may or may not be true, but is unverifiable at this point and is 100% not the other girls fault.

 

[Hickbilly Deluxe]

I was referring to the student, who will have heard about what's happening.

If she refuses to release her grades, doesn't paint a very good picture about her or the school.

Why, because she values her privacy and the school doesn't feel like openly violating the law?