Star student deserves honor fitting of grades

"Cowin doesn't have a clue" ???? Now there's a news flash..........

Really, Adam should get the post at his graduation. The poor guy has worked so diligently for four years.

Good for Adam Morgan, he should be rewarded for a great job. In times when it seems that people are recognized for so many things that have nothing to do with hard work, effort and perseverence, I am glad to see his folks are fighting for his dedication.
And for Cowin, get her out of the education buisness and save our kids.

I've only known Adam Morgan for a term or so now, but he gives off the impression of an extremely intelligent individual who works hard for his grade.
I think that the rule the school board is enforcing is utter nonsense and should be removed A.S.A.P.
If you know or have seen Adam in school lately, you can tell he's extremely depressed from this whole thing.
There is no reason whatsoever that our school board should attempt to deny him what is rightfully his.
Goodluck man.

Obviously, this situation is just more evidence of grade inflation. As we all know, standardized tests such as the SAT, ACT, and the FCAT are the only available valid assessments of intelligence. So, if anything is inaccurately measured, it must be the student’s performance in class.

Amazing how one test result can make up for 12 years of education....

Thank you all dearly for the kind words. And Joseph of Kalamazoo, no disrespect here, but please do try and take 4 AP classes and makes good enough grades in each one to keep a 4.0 GPA. All the teachers grade on point systems anymore, each turned in assignment being equal to a certian number of points designated by the teacher. That really leaves no room for grade inflation, now does it? Anyhow, like I said, thank you all very much for your support. If nothing changes for me this year, I at least hope that it will change for the later classes.

edit: take 3 AP classes per year and make***

Please folks, I was being sarcastic!!!! "...standardized tests...only valid...," how could you not see the sarcasm in that?

Dear Adam,

"...designated by the teacher..."; yes it does. Teachers, and especially college professors, have great leeway in assigning grades. Unfortunately, intelligence is a concept that is not easily measured as a construct (that is, grades); therefore, error will always be present in any assessment tool. The key is to identify and control for that error – based on the assumption that the said error is consistent over time. Multiple measurements is one key, and this is precisely why I would favor your grades as a more accurate reflection of your true academic ability – assuming a consistent error (the statistical term for this process is called the correction for attenuation). Now, here is an interesting question for you to ponder, in recent years, among student cohorts, FCAT scores have consistently been lower as compared with classroom assessments. Why? Which assessment more accurately represents academic achievement?

Now, having said all of that, I hope that you earn the title. But, if it doesn't work out, don't let it bother you; because, in your heart, you know that you are a bright student, and believe me, college entrance boards will see that too.

So, please don’t let the presence or absence of external titles and awards define who you are internally; let your heart do that.

If you can't score a 1270 or higher just plan to start your academic career at SCC or UCF. The good schools are not looking at anyone under 1400. I have had 2 sons at top 50 schools and they were told that if you can't score well on a standardized test you will have a hard time taking college level exams. By the way, straight A's in a public school is not always an indication of a high quality student. Did he participate in other activities? Did he have the respect of his peers? Let's see how he measures up as a total student.

The comment about "if you can't score a 1270 or higher" from zbear is absurd!! This kid obviously took AP and Honors classes throughout his school career, and the fact that the good schools are not looking for anyone under a 1400 is ridiculous. The SAT & ACT are tests that measure a student's ability on one particular day - period. College admission counselors know this - and some kids test much better than others. A 1250 on the SAT is a great score - there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, and I'm sure with his rigorous high school schedule Adam has had many offers from "top 50 schools" and will do fine in college. And as far as participation in other activities - you usually find that the AP & Honors kids are the ones who DO participate in sports and/or the arts. They are the kids who are involved in their school. Adam - you should be really proud of yourself for your accomplishments and I hope they give you the title. Valedictorian is an honor for the top student in the class - it should have nothing to do with a standardized test. This is another reason that schools should give the titles of Suma Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude & Cum Laude instead of Valedictorian & Salutitorian. By the way - where are you going to school next year?

Hello again. Joseph, I'm sorry about the comment. I'm a rather sarcastic person myself, but it's hard to spot sarcasm in 12 point font. Zbear: I did football my freshman year, and track and field all 4 years. In fact, my coach came up to me the other day and told me how much he appreciated my sticking with it, even through the times when it seemed he didn't care. As for peers, everyone in my class, almost, knows me, and I'm friends with most all of them. Now, this could be from years and years of classes with elementary school friends, or just the years since then, but nonetheless I do have peer respect, not to mention respect from all my teachers, past and present. Mazz, I'm attending USF in the fall, but other schools like Stetson and RIT constantly send me e-mails to consider them, which I would if money was no issue, but that's another story altogether. Once again, thanks for all your support.

Forgot to mention that AP Art was one of those classes I took.

way to go Adam.

I've known Adam since he was a little boy and to hear that they are depriving him of this honor sickens me. And the fact that his SAT score was 20 points below what they require is not fair, he earned the grades he has and shoould be given the honor of representing his class.

Congrats on going to USF, Adam. My son will be a junior there next year and loves it. Again - I hope you get the title, and I'm sure if you don't the student who is named valedictorian will feel that it should be you as well. It sounds like you're a well liked, good kid.

If you don't get it then most people attending will know you should be up there instead of whoever does.

You all do realize that it's just a word right? Valedictorian I mean. It means nothing after graduation day. I only graduated in 2004 and I would have to go get my annual out to tell you who the valedictorian was. In college, you don't go around determining who is smart by who was valedictorian or not. Your professors won't care either.

Joseph wrote:

Dear Adam,
"...designated by the teacher..."; yes it does. Teachers, and especially college professors, have great leeway in assigning grades. Unfortunately, intelligence is a concept that is not easily measured as a construct (that is, grades); therefore, error will always be present in any assessment tool. The key is to identify and control for that error – based on the assumption that the said error is consistent over time. Multiple measurements is one key, and this is precisely why I would favor your grades as a more accurate reflection of your true academic ability – assuming a consistent error (the statistical term for this process is called the correction for attenuation). Now, here is an interesting question for you to ponder, in recent years, among student cohorts, FCAT scores have consistently been lower as compared with classroom assessments. Why? Which assessment more accurately represents academic achievement?
Now, having said all of that, I hope that you earn the title. But, if it doesn't work out, don't let it bother you; because, in your heart, you know that you are a bright student, and believe me, college entrance boards will see that too.
So, please don’t let the presence or absence of external titles and awards define who you are internally; let your heart do that.

Dear Joseph, One of the few I have ever seen on here with a sense of humor, compassion and a developed intellect. Intelligence as we discuss it does not exist, it is merely an attribute that results from an authentic experience, it is not an entity to be possessed. In these times of the "politics of recogntion" and "identity" Statements we make about intelligence are nearly completely invalid and are designed more to garner recognition for the idiot making the judgement. The ancient Greeks are nearly silent on the subject on the topic of intelligence, but speak nearly endlessly about Paideia- the development of ones virtues.
I really love what you say about not worrying about titles and externals, the truth is intrinsic. Things are so backwards today in society and especially in schools. I am glad you are out there. mark