The end of the valedictorian? Schools rethink class rankings

LANCASTER, N.Y. — At many American high schools, the graduation-day tradition of crowning a valedictorian is becoming a thing of the past.

The ranking of students from No. 1 on down, based on grade-point averages, has been fading steadily for about the past decade. In its place are honors that recognize everyone who scores at a certain threshold — using Latin honors, for example. This year, one school in Tennessee had 48 valedictorians.

http://www.startribune.com/valedictorians-days-numbered-schools-rethink-class-ranking/428649723/