<p>There is a serious ubiquitous issue in the U.S. where educational quality is second to grades. There are no scales for knowledge retention (say what you want about tests), or academic rigor. The absence of those scales leads colleges and people to resort to the GPA scale which many agree is an “inaccurate” measurement of knowledge and essential life skills. GPA is NOT an infallible key to success.</p>
<p>In all honesty I feel bad for most of the valedictorians because many of them skimped out on extracurricular and other AP classes that could potentially “jeopardize” their GPA. High school should be a pivotal event for young adults and GPA can potentially impede the transition.</p>
<p>The upper-level classes (a few of which have lowered my GPA) have proved invaluable and there is no way I would ever trade those for a higher GPA.</p>
<p>What happened to learning retention, branching out, and vocational experience?</p>