Round Rock ISD decides to temporarily end class rank system at Westwood High School

%INLINE%The Round Rock ISD board continued discussing the future of class rank within the district at its Thursday night meeting. Becky Donald, the area superintendent for the Westwood Learning Community, previously lead a discussion on the topic at the board’s Sept. 7 meeting.

The committee studying the topic recommended that effective Oct. 1, 2017, Westwood High School students’ class rank shall not be automatically reported except for the top ten percent. Class rank will not appear on any student’s transcript, except for those in the top ten percent of their graduating class. This pilot program would end following the 2017-18 school year, with an opportunity for review for future changes.

All other RRISD high school students would continue receiving school rank for the 2017-18 school year. Beginning with the 2018-19 year, students attending a ranking school within the district would then be able to choose to withhold rank and quartile from transcripts.

Donald indicated that Westwood High School would be the trial campus because it had the most support from members of the community to try out a different rank system. The committee’s survey to RRISD stakeholders reflected this.

According to the survey, the majority of parents from Westwood High School and Middle School said class rank was not beneficial for those not in the top 10 percent. Less than 35 percent of parents from Round Rock, Cedar Ridge and Stony Point high schools said it would be beneficial to exclude class rank from the transcripts of students who are not in the top 10 percent.

Ultimately, trustees decided to adopt the recommendation unanimously. After the 2017-18 pilot program is completed, the board will continue discussions as to how this program could move forward at other RRISD high school campuses.

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From FOX 7's reporting partner, Community Impact.