Ohio Lawmakers Looking To Make High Schools Require Naming Valedictorians

Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at 7:40 AM

By Mike Perleberg @mikedup84

The valedictorian title has traditionally been awarded to the graduating student with the highest GPA.

(Columbus, Oh.) -- Lawmakers say they are introducing legislation that would require Ohio high schools to name both a valedictorian and a salutatorian in their graduating classes.

Supporters of the bill say it was written in response to Mason High School outside Cincinnati and their decision to stop bestowing the honors on students.

“This will help reduce the overall competitive culture at MHS to allow students to focus on exploring learning opportunities that are of interest of them,” the school said in a statement.

The new bill's sponsors say recognizing a valedictorian and salutatorian promotes positive academic competition and those top achievers should be rewarded.

“These students work hard to become the top academically achieving students in their class and deserve recognition. Competition fosters excellence and we should be encouraging that. It’s decisions like not naming a valedictorian that creates the ‘everyone gets a trophy,’ lazy culture that is often discussed,” said State Rep. Niraj Antani (R-Miamisburg), who filed the bill.

Opponents of the bill say it would cause a ranking system for students which could jeopardize scholarship opportunities in competitive districts that are limited to those in the top 10 percent of their class.