Summary of Discussion regarding the Pros/Cons of Class Ranking at TAG April 2016 Class Rank at TAG

Background on Class Rank Currently, TAG and all high schools in DISD rank their graduating class of seniors. Class rank is computed using each semester’s grades, with an additional weight added to Pre-AP classes and an even higher weight added to AP and Dual-Credit classes. Rank is calculated at the end of each semester beginning with the first semester of the junior year. (For a complete description of how class rank is calculated, see the DISD Student Handbook ).DISD Student Handbook Under a new option in DISD, a school may choose to not calculate or report a student’s class rank, except for the top 10 percent of a given class. Class rank will not appear on any student’s academic achievement record (transcript). The district will provide students ranked in the top 10 percent a certification of class rank containing the student’s numerical class rank.

TAG Class Rank Committee A committee comprised of all members of the TAG Site- Based Decision Making Committee and other parent and student volunteers met on February 22 to discuss the proposed policy change. The committee consisted of 7 parents, 5 students, 4 faculty members, our counselor, and principal. All grade levels were represented and in attendance by both parents and students.

Counselor’s Professional Opinion Ms. Marberry opened the discussion with her professional opinion that we should not rank. She gave the following facts: The top 10% of TAG’s graduating class is only 6 students. They would continue to be ranked, but under the new proposal the other 90% would not. Comparison schools to TAG across the nation, both public and private, have already moved away from class rank. (Some examples in our area: Highland Park School District, Frisco School District, St. Mark’s, Hockaday, Jesuit, Ursuline, Greenhill. Nationwide non-ranking is also very prevalent.) Colleges, especially larger state schools, use rank as a differentiator, sometimes automatically disallowing students with lower class ranks. When rank is no longer provided, colleges must look more closely at the test scores and strength of curriculum. Test scores and strength of curriculum at TAG far exceed most other schools nationwide. Ranking in a small, highly selective school environment (such as TAG),even though our students challenged themselves beyond most seniors in most high schools, actively disadvantages any students who do not end up in the top 10% of the class.

Committee Discussion: Reasons to NOT Rank Students

(1) Rank not Representative: Ranking compares TAG students only to other TAG students (who were already selected as top DISD students), so it is misleading when compared to peers nationwide. TAG students would most likely be in the top 10% of their class at their home school, and instead they chose to attend TAG with its additional rigor and challenges. Even the bottom 10% of the TAG class has test scores and strength of curriculum exceeding the top 10% of other schools across the nation.

Committee Discussion: Reasons to NOT Rank Students (2) College and Scholarship Applications: TAG students who are not in the top 10% of their class are negatively impacted in college admissions processes and scholarship applications based on their rank. Many students are automatically disqualified based on their rank being in the 3 rd or 4 th quartiles, even if every other factor is substantially greater than other students receiving admissions and scholarships. Not ranking causes a college to put more emphasis on the students’ test scores and strength of curriculum, which at TAG far exceeds most other schools nationwide.

Committee Discussion: Reasons to NOT Rank Students (3) Student Eligibility for Special Programs: As above, some honors programs require a certain class rank in the evaluation process. Many programs that out students would be highly qualified for on behalf of their merit, are automatically denied based on rank. This includes programs such as UT’s Plan II. When class rank is unavailable, they must put more emphasis on the students’ test scores and strength of curriculum, which at TAG far exceeds most other schools nationwide.

Committee Discussion: Reasons to NOT Rank Students (4) Allow Students to Pursue their Passions: Because of how class rank is calculated, non-AP classes (such as music or art) would hurt a student’s class rank. Or taking an intellectual risk by taking a challenging class could also hurt a student’s class rank. This may force students to choose between taking a class that will help their class rank vs. a class they might be genuinely interested in. Eliminating class rank will allow students to pursue their passions alongside their already highly rigorous curriculum.

Committee Discussion: Reasons to NOT Rank Students (5) Mental Health: A student’s class rank often serves as a stressor, especially since all our students are already high achieving students. Instead of focusing on mastering knowledge, a student may worry about being in the bottom of the class and spend time stressing over the numerical values behind class rank and how to move up in it. Ranking may also encourage negative competition rather than a more positive atmosphere of collaboration and helping one another.

Committee Discussion: Reasons to NOT Rank Students (6) Maximization of Benefit: Under the new policy, the top 10% still retains all the benefits they already had of being ranked. The other 90% realize the new benefits of not being ranked as they are then considered more on the rigor of their courses and GPA.

Committee Discussion: Concerns about Eliminating Class Rank

(1) Class Rank Encourages Competition: Class rank serves to provide a relative value for how students at TAG compare with their peers at TAG. This may also motivate students to work harder to raise their class rank due to the competition.

Committee Discussion: Concerns about Eliminating Class Rank (2) A Scholarship May Require Class Rank: Because many schools no longer rank, most scholarships allow for no ranking to be reported. Ms. Marberry has never seen a scholarship that would not allow for a non-ranking school, however, it is theoretically possible that one could exist and this might complicate the application process for that scholarship.

Recommendation of the Committee Committee Recommendation: Pursue not ranking students After much discussion, the TAG SBDM and ranking committee unanimously recommend that TAG pursue not ranking its students, given the unique context of TAG being a small school filled with high achieving students in an academically rigorous and challenging environment.

Next Steps Now that the SBDM and ranking committee has recommended that TAG pursue not ranking students, the policy will be put to a vote to the broader TAG community. Timeline and Next Steps: April 8, 2016: TAG Parent Meeting: 8:30am (Townview Library) If you are not able to make this meeting but would like to attend another meeting or have questions answered, please reach out to our principal Ben Mackey at or Week of April 18 – 22: Voting for/against Unranking of TAG students In order for TAG to unrank students, at least 60% of all TAG families must respond to the survey, with at least 60% of those responses favoring not ranking TAG students. Otherwise, class rank will remain for at least the next four years. Details on survey administration will be communicated next week.