Indiana school district wants to drop valedictorian title to avoid 'unhealthy competition'

An Indiana school district has proposed eliminating naming a valedictorian because it promotes "unhealthy competition" among students. Greater Clark School District Superintendent Andrew Melin said students seeking the honor often choose classes that will boost their GPA, a local ABC News affiliate reports.

"When students are competing for the [valedictorian] and the [salutatorian] they're trying to find ways to maneuver through the system to try and get the best grades they can possibly get, as opposed to taking the course work that's truly in their own best interest," Melin said.

To avoid that, he wants to honor the top 10 percent of all graduates. "These are kids that have legitimately over a four-year period earned all of their grades," Melin said. "Nothing is being given to them."

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