Trustees approve first reading of revised class-rank policy; debate centers on dual credit and pathway fairness

The San Felipe-Del Rio CISD board approved a first reading on Feb. 24 of a proposed revision to local policy EIC governing academic achievement and class ranking, with trustees debating whether the change would advantage or disadvantage students in certain pathways.

Cynthia Salas, presenting committee recommendations, told trustees: "The calculation of class rank shall be semester grades earned in high school credit courses in the following subjects only, English, mathematics, science, and social studies." The committee recommended applying the change beginning with the graduating class of 2029.

Under the committee's proposal, class-rank calculations would include the four highest course averages in the highest-weighted courses for English, mathematics and science and the highest course averages to meet the three social-studies credits required for graduation. The proposed policy would also exclude semester grades earned in summer school (high school or postsecondary), nonaccredited schools (including most homeschool credit), courses taken outside the United States unless recognized by TEA, distance-learning courses unless taken through the Texas Virtual School Network or offered by the district, local credit courses, pass/fail courses, and credit by examination with or without instruction.

The committee further recommended that valedictorian and salutatorian honors be limited to students who were continuously enrolled in the same district high school for the four semesters immediately preceding graduation, who graduate after exactly eight semesters of high school, and who complete the foundation program with at least one endorsement.

Several trustees questioned the change. Board member Orfeldt asked how the proposal would affect students in Early College High School and other dual-credit pathways, saying the proposal's mechanics "sound like a nightmare" for tracking campus codes and student records when campuses are dissolved or renumbered. Another trustee expressed concern that reducing ranking to core courses would "water down" the effect of the additional elective or pathway credits some students take to pursue advanced coursework or industry certifications.

Administrators told the board the committee's intent was to level the playing field so that students pursuing different pathways ' for example, extended CTE sequences, advanced dual-credit loads or fine-arts commitments ' are evaluated on equivalent core-course performance for class ranking. Presenters said the change follows practices used by some other districts in Texas.

Trustees approved the first reading of the policy; the motion passed with one dissent (motion by Vicki Chavez; seconded by Michelle Manas). The policy will be reviewed by the policy committee and return for a second reading and final action at a later meeting.