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Board waives timeline and unanimously adopts revised grading policy for valedictorian and salutatorian selection
Summary
The Anne Arundel County Board of Education voted unanimously to waive the usual adoption timeline and adopt revisions to Policy II (Grading), removing the word “character” from the valedictorian/salutatorian application and standardizing selection procedures across high schools.
The Anne Arundel County Board of Education voted unanimously April 2 to waive the normal adoption timeline and adopt a revised Policy II (Grading) that removes the word “character” from the valedictorian and salutatorian application and clarifies a districtwide, uniform selection procedure.
Board members said the change was time-sensitive so high schools could implement the updated process this school year. Grace Wilson, senior specialist for legislation and policy, said there was no public comment during the 30-day public comment period and reminded members that staff requested the review to allow immediate implementation of the revised selection process.
Associate Superintendent Dr. George Roberts told the board the procedure will be the same across high schools: students will complete an application or questionnaire, principals will convene a review panel of staff members, and panels will evaluate applications consistently. “It consists of a survey of questionnaire for students,” Dr. Roberts said. He added that principals will share expectations with students and oversee submission and review of applications.
Board Member Miss Stanton moved to waive the timeline required for adoption; the waiver passed 7–0. The board then adopted Policy II on third reading, also by a 7–0 vote. Voting members recorded as voting yes were Miss Schallheim, Miss McFarland, Miss Hamdawi, Miss Dent, Miss McDermott, Miss Pulliam and President Silkworth.
The board and staff said they consulted other counties and higher-education partners during the revision. Staff told the board they reached out to local universities and the University System of Maryland, which staff said indicated the revised selection process would not hinder college admissions reviews.
Board members and staff said the policy change aims to make selection less subjective and to support equitable access to scholarships and recognition for underserved students. The board’s action was limited to the text before them; staff will complete style and formatting before the policy is published.
