NOVEMBER 2017
OPINION 15
GPA REQUIREMENTS HINDER STUDENTS’ ABILITY TO JOIN HONOR SOCIETIES Hiwot Gideon Staff Writer I was recommended for Spanish Honor Society my sophomore year, only to read the requirements and find out that students must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 and no less than an A average in the subject. Spanish is a subject I love, so I was disappointed that I did not get in because of my A average and 3.4 GPA. When a student’s GPA is not where they need it to be, it can unfairly keep them from reaching their full potential in a subject that they enjoy. Hayfield has honor society programs for students who are interested and excel in certain subjects. In a poll conducted by H2N, students were asked if they thought an overall 3.5 GPA should be required to be a part of an honor society.
Out of the 65 students that participated, 74 percent thought that GPA should not determine eligibility to join an honor society. Most teachers want students to excel. Teachers want students to challenge themselves and take that extra step, such as joining an honor society. Shouldn’t any student who is doing well in a certain subject be able to do that? A student may have a lower grade point average due to high school courses they took and struggled with. Past grades should not determine whether or not one should be able to join an honor society. The only thing that should matter is their average grade in the subject that they want to get involved in. I have a friend who failed Algebra 1 in middle school, and that failing grade
BY THE NUMBERS NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN HAYFIELD HONOR SOCIETIES SPANISH HONOR SOCIETY
impacted her overall GPA because no one informed her that she could have the grade expunged. When she wanted to join the Science Honor Society, the honor society leader notified her that her GPA was too low, even though science was her greatest strength. These GPA requirements hold students back from being able to reach their full potential in school. While having an A average in the class should remain a requirement, there should not be any prerequisites to join an honor society. Students should be able to say how they feel about the honor society’s policies whether it’s by going to the school directly, starting a petition or even talking to honor society leaders about it. Students who oppose the policies can greatly influence the changes that could be made.
No
74%
Yes 26%
133 Students
MATH HONOR SOCIETY
123 Students
FRENCH HONOR SOCIETY
37 Students
ENGLISH HONOR SOCIETY
19 Students
SHOULD GPA AFFECT STUDENTS’ ELIGIBILITY TO JOIN HONOR SOCIETIES?