Valedictorian is an academic title typically conferred upon the highest ranked student within the graduating class of an educational institution. The term is an anglicized derivation of the Latin vale dicere ("to say farewell"), historically rooted in the valedictorian's traditional role as the final speaker at the graduation ceremony. An anglicism, as most often defined is a word borrowed from English into another language Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Graduation is the action of receiving or conferring an Academic degree or the associated ceremony The valedictory address is generally considered a final farewell to classmates, before they disperse as a collective group in order to pursue their individual paths after graduating. The title of class valedictorian is common in educational institutions in the United States and Canada, while its equivalent in Australia, New Zealand and Scotland is dux. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Dux (plural duces) is Latin for leader (from the verb ducere, 'to lead' and could refer to anyone who commanded troops such

How an individual school confers the title and determines its criteria varies from institution to institution. Generally, the graduate deemed to be the highest academically ranked student in the class, as determined by the academic criteria of the school, is conferred the title of class valedictorian. Some institutions confer the title to the class member chosen to deliver the final graduation address, regardless of the speaker's academic credentials. Historically and traditionally, however, schools confer the title upon the top ranking graduate of the class, who thereby earns the honor of delivering the valedictory address.

Some institutions award the title based upon various criteria such as overall academic record of grades and credits, a student's grade-point-average, the level of rigor within a student's academic program of studies, a vote by school administrators and/or members of the graduating class, the level of participation in and dedication to extracurricular activities, and one's public-speaking skills and abilities. The following is a summary of the academic grading systems in North America. Extracurricular activities are activities performed by Students that fall outside the realm of the normal Curriculum of school or university education In other schools, the position may be elected by the school body or appointed directly by the school administration based on various systems of merit. Some schools may feature "co-valedictorians" in lieu of conferring the title to a single individual from among the graduating class. This may be done in the case of a numerical tie in grade-point-averages, as part of a Latin honors system, or to promote a form of affirmative action such as gender or racial balance. Latin honors are Latin phrases used to indicate the level of academic distinction with which an Academic degree was earned Affirmative action in the United States|Employment equity (Canada|Reservation in India|Numerus clausus The term affirmative action describes many policies aimed at a historically

The valedictory address is the closing or farewell statement delivered at a graduation ceremony. It is an oration at commencement exercises in US high schools, colleges, and universities delivered by one of the graduates. The mode of discourse is generally inspirational and persuasive. The various aims of this address are to inspire the graduates and to thank individuals responsible for their successes. Above all, however, the primary aim of the valedictory address is to allow a representative of the graduating class to bid a final farewell to the students and to the school, as the graduates prepare to disperse and to move forward.

Controversy

The awarding of the valedictorian honor can be the subject of heated controversy. Often the differences separating the top student from the nearest competitors are small and there are sometimes accusations that the winner took advantage of the rules in a way that seemed unfair, such as taking extra easy courses to get additional credits. ^[1] Some schools have dropped the honor or changed the rules to allow multiple recipients. ^[2][3] In turn, such changes have led to complaints that it is unfair to change the rules after a competition has begun. The New Jersey Commissioner of Education, for example, required schools to make changes to valedictorian award policy effective only for the incoming freshman class, not students already enrolled. New Jersey ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. The Commissioner of Education was the title given to the person who served at the head of the National Bureau of Education, a former unit within the Department of the Interior ^[4] Another New Jersey case raised the question of whether accommodations for students under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and related laws should affect valedictorian honors. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA is a United States federal law that governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention Special education In Hornstine v. Township of Moorestown, a U.S. District Court judge blocked the Moorestown Superintendent of Schools from retroactively changing school policy to deny a disabled student sole honors. Blair Leah Hornstine is a graduate of Moorestown High School who in 2003 while in her final year at the school sued the Moorestown Township (New Jersey Public The United States district courts are the general Trial courts of the United States federal court system. This article is about the Township of Moorestown in New Jersey ^[4]

See also

• Grade inflation
• Salutatorian, typically the second highest ranking graduate

References

• Patricia Breakey (June 25, 2005). Events 524 - Battle of Vézeronce, the Franks defeat the Burgundians Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. From Valedictorian... to the real world. The Daily Star.

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