Hawaii House Bill HCR137

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/13/24

Caption

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.

Impact

The proposal seeks to reinforce academic excellence in Hawaii's schools by redefining what it means to be a valedictorian. By focusing solely on core academic subjects, the resolution aims to restore the significance of the title and provide a clear incentive for students to achieve high academic standards. Such an amendment could impact state laws governing educational recognition and student awards, leading to a re-evaluation of how academic accomplishments are celebrated across educational institutions in Hawaii.

Summary

HCR137 is a House Concurrent Resolution from the Thirty-Second Legislature of Hawaii, aimed at reforming the criteria for valedictorian designation within the state's educational system. The resolution requests the Board of Education to amend its existing policy, which currently allows students to attain the valedictorian title through a combination of criteria, including a grade point average (GPA) of 4.0 and completion of specific honor recognition certificates. The bill emphasizes the need to limit this designation exclusively to students demonstrating exceptional academic achievements, particularly in core subjects such as Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, and Science.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HCR137 include debates over the previous recognition practices that included non-academic achievements as criteria for valedictorian designation. Critics of the existing policy argue that it dilutes the value of the title and fails to prioritize academic success. By proposing that only academic achievements should be considered, HCR137 sparks discussions on the broader implications for student motivation and recognition within the educational framework, and whether such a narrowed focus may exclude deserving candidates who excel in areas beyond traditional academics.