Valedictorian is an academic title for the highest-performing student of a graduating class of an academic institution.
Image of a valedictorian giving their speech at graduation
The valedictorian is commonly determined by a numerical formula. Generally an academic institution's grade point average (GPA) system is used, but other methods of selection may be used or factored in such as volunteer work or extra-curricular activity.[1]
The term is an Anglicisedderivation of the Latinvale dicerecode: lat promoted to code: la ("to say farewell"), historically rooted in the valedictorian's traditional role as the final speaker at the graduation ceremony commencement before the students receive their diplomas. The valedictory address, also known as the valediction, is generally considered a final farewell to classmates, before they disperse to pursue their individual paths after graduating.
The term is not widely used outside the United States, Canada, Kuwait, Egypt, and the Philippines, although some countries may award equivalent titles. In Australia, the title is sometimes awarded to a member of a graduating university class on the basis of a contribution to the school rather than academic success. The highest-ranking student in a graduating class is often referred to as duxcode: lat promoted to code: la (Latin for "leader"), and may or may not give a speech. In France the term Major de promotion ("first in class") is used, although the term is not related to any ceremonial role, as there are rarely graduation ceremonies in schools or universities.
The most common method of selection is typically based upon the highest grade point average. Some institutions confer the title on the class member chosen to deliver the final graduation address, regardless of the speaker's academic credentials. Historically and traditionally, however, schools confer the title upon the top ranked graduate of the class, whether determined by GPA or some other means such as a faculty vote, who thereby earns the honor of delivering the valedictory address.
Some institutions award the title based upon various criteria such as an overall academic record of grades and credits, a student's grade point average, the level of rigor within a student's academic program of studies, a vote by school administrators, the level of participation in and dedication to extracurricular activities, and one's public-speaking skills and abilities. In other schools, the position may be elected by the school body or appointed directly by the school administration based on various systems of merit. Some schools may feature "co-valedictorians" in lieu of conferring the title on a single individual from among the graduating class. This may occur in the case of a numerical tie in grade point averages, as part of a Latin honors system.
AwardsEdit
A valedictorian is usually given a gold medal during the graduation ceremony, with the salutatorian receiving a silver medal.
ControversyEdit
The awarding of the valedictorian honor may be the subject of heated controversy. Often the differences separating the top student from the nearest competitors are small, and sometimes there are accusations that the winner took advantage of the rules in a way that seemed unfair, such as taking easy courses to get additional credits.[2] Some schools have dropped the honor or changed the rules to allow multiple recipients.[3][4] In turn, such changes have led to complaints that it is unfair to change the rules after a competition has begun. The New Jersey Commissioner of Education, for example, required schools to make changes to valedictorian award policy effective only for the incoming freshman class, not students already enrolled.[5] Another New Jersey case raised the question of whether accommodations for students under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and related laws should affect valedictorian honors. In Hornstine v. Township of Moorestown, a U.S. District Court judge blocked the Moorestown Superintendent of Schools from retroactively changing school policy to deny a disabled student sole honors.[5] While those who do well in school often find success in university and professional life, one study claimed to show that valedictorians were not any more likely to excel at a global scale than other students, with the argument being made that those with passions for subjects are more likely to excel, yet those same students tend to find it more difficult to work hard at subjects that they are not interested in.[6]
Valedictory addressEdit
The valedictory address, or valediction, is the closing or farewell statement delivered at a graduation ceremony. It is an oration at commencement (in Canada, called convocation in university and graduation in high school) exercises in U.S. and some Canadian high schools, colleges, and universities delivered by one of the graduates. The mode of discourse generally is inspirational and persuasive. The various aims of this address are to inspire the graduates and to thank individuals responsible for their successes while reflecting on youthful frivolity and the accomplishments of the class. Above all, however, the primary aim of the valedictory address is to allow a representative of the graduating class to bid a final farewell to the students and to the school, as the graduates prepare to disperse and to begin the next phase of their lives.
^Dill, Kathryn (May 25, 2017). "This is why class valedictorians don't become millionaires". CNBC. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
September 20, 2023
valedictorian, academic, title, highest, performing, student, graduating, class, academic, institution, image, valedictorian, giving, their, speech, graduationthe, valedictorian, commonly, determined, numerical, formula, generally, academic, institution, grade. Valedictorian is an academic title for the highest performing student of a graduating class of an academic institution Image of a valedictorian giving their speech at graduationThe valedictorian is commonly determined by a numerical formula Generally an academic institution s grade point average GPA system is used but other methods of selection may be used or factored in such as volunteer work or extra curricular activity 1 The term is an Anglicised derivation of the Latin vale dicere code lat promoted to code la to say farewell historically rooted in the valedictorian s traditional role as the final speaker at the graduation ceremony commencement before the students receive their diplomas The valedictory address also known as the valediction is generally considered a final farewell to classmates before they disperse to pursue their individual paths after graduating The term is not widely used outside the United States Canada Kuwait Egypt and the Philippines although some countries may award equivalent titles In Australia the title is sometimes awarded to a member of a graduating university class on the basis of a contribution to the school rather than academic success The highest ranking student in a graduating class is often referred to as dux code lat promoted to code la Latin for leader and may or may not give a speech In France the term Major de promotion first in class is used although the term is not related to any ceremonial role as there are rarely graduation ceremonies in schools or universities Contents 1 Selection 2 Awards 2 1 Controversy 3 Valedictory address 4 See also 5 ReferencesSelection EditThe most common method of selection is typically based upon the highest grade point average Some institutions confer the title on the class member chosen to deliver the final graduation address regardless of the speaker s academic credentials Historically and traditionally however schools confer the title upon the top ranked graduate of the class whether determined by GPA or some other means such as a faculty vote who thereby earns the honor of delivering the valedictory address Some institutions award the title based upon various criteria such as an overall academic record of grades and credits a student s grade point average the level of rigor within a student s academic program of studies a vote by school administrators the level of participation in and dedication to extracurricular activities and one s public speaking skills and abilities In other schools the position may be elected by the school body or appointed directly by the school administration based on various systems of merit Some schools may feature co valedictorians in lieu of conferring the title on a single individual from among the graduating class This may occur in the case of a numerical tie in grade point averages as part of a Latin honors system Awards EditA valedictorian is usually given a gold medal during the graduation ceremony with the salutatorian receiving a silver medal Controversy Edit The awarding of the valedictorian honor may be the subject of heated controversy Often the differences separating the top student from the nearest competitors are small and sometimes there are accusations that the winner took advantage of the rules in a way that seemed unfair such as taking easy courses to get additional credits 2 Some schools have dropped the honor or changed the rules to allow multiple recipients 3 4 In turn such changes have led to complaints that it is unfair to change the rules after a competition has begun The New Jersey Commissioner of Education for example required schools to make changes to valedictorian award policy effective only for the incoming freshman class not students already enrolled 5 Another New Jersey case raised the question of whether accommodations for students under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and related laws should affect valedictorian honors In Hornstine v Township of Moorestown a U S District Court judge blocked the Moorestown Superintendent of Schools from retroactively changing school policy to deny a disabled student sole honors 5 While those who do well in school often find success in university and professional life one study claimed to show that valedictorians were not any more likely to excel at a global scale than other students with the argument being made that those with passions for subjects are more likely to excel yet those same students tend to find it more difficult to work hard at subjects that they are not interested in 6 Valedictory address EditThe valedictory address or valediction is the closing or farewell statement delivered at a graduation ceremony It is an oration at commencement in Canada called convocation in university and graduation in high school exercises in U S and some Canadian high schools colleges and universities delivered by one of the graduates The mode of discourse generally is inspirational and persuasive The various aims of this address are to inspire the graduates and to thank individuals responsible for their successes while reflecting on youthful frivolity and the accomplishments of the class Above all however the primary aim of the valedictory address is to allow a representative of the graduating class to bid a final farewell to the students and to the school as the graduates prepare to disperse and to begin the next phase of their lives See also Edit nbsp Education portalDean s list Grade inflationReferences Edit Merriam Webster definition of valedictorian merriam webster com Talbot Margaret June 6 2005 Best in Class Students are suing their way to the top The New Yorker Archived from the original on February 23 2007 DeCuir Marissa 2007 06 28 Schools playing down valedictorian honors USA Today Archived from the original on 2007 06 30 Retrieved 2010 05 27 Bound Amy November 14 2007 BVSD nixes title of valedictorian Daily Camera Archived from the original on November 15 2007 a b Hornstine v Township of Moorestown 263 F Supp 2d 887 D N J 2003 05 08 Dill Kathryn May 25 2017 This is why class valedictorians don t become millionaires CNBC Retrieved January 4 2021 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Valedictorian amp oldid 1174138970, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
