Dist. 128 invites you to 2 meetings on class rank

Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 residents who want to learn more about a plan to do away with class ranks at two schools can attend upcoming public forms.

The first is set for Thursday, Sept. 11, at Libertyville High, 708 W. Park Ave. The second is set for Thursday, Sept. 18, at Vernon Hills High, 145 Lakeview Parkway.

Both meetings are scheduled for 7 p.m.

Information about the proposal, which has been in the works for about a year, also is available on the district's official Web site, www.d128.org. A survey for parents about the proposal is on the Web site, too. Since it went live last month, about 20 people have completed the survey, said Deb Larson, the district's assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. The responses have been positive, she said.

Teachers also back the plan, Larson said. "The staff was given the plan to review last month and have since come back with a lot of support," she said.

If the plan is implemented, students no longer would be ranked by their grade-point averages. It would also eliminate the traditional valedictorian honors for the graduating seniors with the top averages at each school.

Supporters of the change have said it would help get more high-school graduates into college. Class rankings, which traditionally appear on academic transcripts sent to college admission offices, can hurt the chances of students who earn good grades but aren't at the very top of their classes, District 128 officials have said.

The plan would become effective for all students starting with the Class of 2011, the current sophomores, officials have said. Students in the Class of 2010 - now juniors - would be allowed to choose whether to include class rankings on their transcripts. Members of the Class of 2009 - the current seniors - still would be ranked by grade-point average.

Several suburban high schools - including Warren Township, Stevenson, Barrington, Naperville North and Naperville Central - have eliminated class ranks in recent years.