The Wright City R-II School District’s newly formed Community Action Team (CAT) is taking on one of its first major assignments from the school board as the new group studies possibly changing graduating senior recognition at commencement. An update on the assignment — originally introduced for discussion during the board’s July meeting — was an agenda item at the November school board meeting. During last month’s meeting, the board voted unanimously in favor of proceeding with the CAT study of the issue. The CAT study group — composed of parents, students, teachers and civic leaders — is tasked with investigating the implications and benefits of moving away from valedictorian and salutatorian designation toward a cum laude system used at many colleges, or other honors systems, that recognize a broader number of students and sets what many believe is a fairer framework for senior academic recognition. “We plan on having recommendations from the CAT study group in April,” R-II Superintendent Dr. Chris Gaines told board members. Gaines emphasized that the group’s findings will not change the present valedictorian and salutatorian systems that will continue in place for this year’s seniors and juniors. It is most likely that a change to a cum laude or other system would start at the beginning of a new school year to affect incoming classes, Gaines said. Board member Laura Marsh introduced the idea at the July board meeting, telling members that she believes schools are trending toward the cum laude system where more students can be recognized. Others on the board have agreed that spreading the honors among top academic achievers could be beneficial. Marsh earlier reported that from her own investigation of the issue, she learned about the growing debate across the country about the valedictorian system in which one student with the top grade point average (GPA) is selected for the honor and to speak at graduation. The competition for this top designation, she said, drives some students to structure their course load around classes that enable them to keep their GPA at the highest level. Some leaders across the nation say the distinction of being class valedictorian holds little weight beyond graduation as colleges and employers understand that GPA is one of many factors in assessing achievement, and that the top scores may be nearly indiscernible from the next highest GPA or cluster of averages. Board President Austin Jones said that although he would vote in favor of continuing the study, he wonders if going to a broader recognition system dampens competition. “It is a competitive world,” Jones told the board, “and I believe competition is a good thing to teach our kids for life.”