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Teacher urges formula change to class rank; board advances revised class-rank policy
Summary
A Del Rio teacher urged the board to limit class-rank GPA to core academic courses to reduce GPA-chasing; trustees approved the second reading of a revised EIC local policy that narrows the class-rank calculation and sets a fourth-week drop/add deadline.
DEL RIO, TX — A Del Rio High School math teacher told the San Felipe-Del Rio CISD Board of Trustees on March 24 that the district's current class-ranking calculation pressures students to prioritize GPA-boosting courses over career and elective pathways. Trustees then voted unanimously to approve the second reading of a revised class-ranking policy (EIC Local) that clarifies which courses count toward class rank and adds a deadline to drop or add courses.
Lauren Cardenas, a math teacher who said she has taught in the district for 11 years and works with students at Del Rio High School and Early College High School, told trustees that many districts have changed class-rank rules to correct systemic inequities. “Restricting class rank GPA to only use core area classes would give our students greater freedom in pursuing their interests while making a stronger college application,” Cardenas said during the public-comment period.
Board members and administrators acknowledged the public comment at the March meeting and moved forward with a policy revision presented by administration that narrows the set of courses used in the ranking calculation. The revised policy, advanced at second reading, also includes language recommended by the Policy Review Committee and principals to limit changes to course selection after the fourth week of the first grading period of each semester.
What the policy does: administration summarized the calculation language as including semester grades from the highest-weighted categories for English, mathematics and science (four highest yearly averages) and the three highest yearly averages for social studies. The policy text also establishes the drop/add deadline to prevent late course changes that would retroactively alter class standings.
Why this matters: trustees and the speaker framed the change as an effort to reduce GPA-chasing that pushes students away from career-technical education, arts and extracurriculars. The policy will require counselors and campuses to update guidance so students understand how course choices affect class rank and the new drop/add deadline.
Next steps: administration recommended, and trustees approved, the second reading; administration will publish the updated policy and distribute guidance to counselors and students.
