With college admission letters rolling in, seniors are losing sleep, pulling their hair out and crying in their own stress tears. What are they stressing about? ACT scores. SAT scores. Cumulative grades. And of course, class rank.
I think that class rank is a terrible way to academically rank a student because grades at East are not weighted and most definitely should be. It is not fair that one student may take all regular classes and get A's in them, therefore raising their class rank, where another student may enroll in CITS and honors courses, and receive B's. Therefore, the more dedicated and hard working student that chose to take hard courses, are ranked lower in the class. A B in an honors course should be worth more, or as much, as an A in a regular course.
So, without weighted grades where is the motivation to enroll in challenging courses? By increasing the possibility of receiving a lower grade, it can only lower a student's cumulative GPA and lower their class rank. All honors courses can provide a student is sleepless nights, stress and thick books with tiny writing. Where is the motivation? I do agree that the motivation lies in all honors students due to their want for challenging academics, but I think it is fair enough to say that grades in CITS, honors, or AP courses should be worth more.
Nearing college admission letters, life would be less stressful if the class rank was more accurate. I believe the harder working more motivated students should be at the top of the list, followed by the smartest students in regular courses.
