HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	118
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

requesting the Board of Education to amend its policy on valedictorian designation to exclusively recognize students with exceptional academic achievements, as demonstrated by their academic honors, grade point average, and performance in rigorous academic courses.

WHEREAS, the title of valedictorian traditionally represents the person who has reached the highest level of academic achievement within a graduating class; and

WHEREAS, for example, the Oxford English Dictionary, in part, defines "valedictorian" to mean "a student, typically having the highest academic achievements of the class . . ."; and

WHEREAS, academics, notably the core subjects of Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, and Science, are the most fundamental aspect of the education system and an individual demonstrating academic excellence in these fields reflects the exceptional dedication, intellectual rigor, and mastery of course content that deserves to be rightfully awarded; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Education's existing policy of valedictorian designation allows a student to be declared a valedictorian if the following criteria are met:

(1) Grade point average of 4.0; and

(2) Earned and met the requirements of one of the Honor Recognition Certificates; and

WHEREAS, the existing policy allows for the recognition of many students achieving the designation of valedictorian, especially students recognized for non-academic, career, or technical-based achievements, which may lessen the significance of the title of "valedictorian" and compromise the title's emphasis on academic excellence; and

WHEREAS, limiting valedictorian designation to students achieving academic honors in core classes would reinforce the importance of academic achievements, provide an incentive for students to succeed, and reward those who do; and

WHEREAS, an approach focusing on academic accomplishments aligns with the core purpose of the educational system and sends a clear message about the Department of Education's commitment to academic excellence; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, that the Board of Education is requested to amend its policy on valedictorian designation to exclusively recognize students with exceptional academic achievements, as demonstrated by their academic honors, grade point average, and performance in rigorous academic courses; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board is requested to review, discuss, and revise the policy on valedictorian designation to ensure that future valedictorians are selected based on their exceptional academic accomplishments in their core classes and have the incentive to succeed in school and future academic endeavors; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education and Superintendent of Education.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

BOE; Valedictorian Designation Policy; Limitation