Reverse Decision to Ban Honor Cords and Stoles

In the end of the day, this is a school. You have to recognize high achiever.

This is taking small steps towards communism, and by teaching this ideology to students, society will become more and more like communism.

Apart from the myriad pieces of research on the topic that this committee should be able to source on their own, I can offer, as a professor who has taught ‘honors’ students for the past ten years, that this is a devastating tactic. Whatever supporters of the original initiative believe, the fact of the matter is that removing recognitions like this not only disincentivizes students, but also prohibits them from developing any grit that prepares them for survival post-secondary school. Students are less able to develop themselves at the university level because they have poor skills in accepting criticism, difference, qualitative evaluation systems, and pressure in any form. Much of this hard-packed anxiety can be sourced in a deep-seated fear of failure, instilled because they’ve never been given the chance to lose, and to see that it’s ok. It doesn’t matter what our personal opinions are on this topic, so much as it matters that equalizing student achievement is detrimental to their ability to grow and to thrive as human beings. Do the right thing and allow students to win, and more importantly, to lose.

Don’t stop competition

Well said!

Exactly!

Yes! I 100% support this!

This is a terrible idea. Every student has the opportunity to achieve high grades or participate in an extracurricular activity (it doesn't have to be a sport). Achieving an honor or recognition is always EARNED. Students who put forward the extra effort should be recognized. This change will only encourage students doing the minimum to do even less.

Please reverse this ruling. The cords and stoles are an earned right and a long standing tradition.

Do not take this away from the students who have worked so hard!!

Having been a teacher in the Issaquah School District for 25 years before retiring, I find this to go against everything I tried to instill in my 8th graders going into high school. I am so sorry for all of the high schoolers who really want to work hard and have their efforts show for something. I wish you luck in changing this.

Our kids went to Liberty HS and although they didn’t make the honor roll, they highly respected those who did.

Recognition for time spent in high school is important. We are on a slippery slope here ...will we take all classes to a Pass/Fail next because we don't want students to feel bad about their grades? Let the kids wear their honor/activity cords!

This is ridiculous. Kids who can not get into sports teams will be hurt as well. They need to be taken care as well.

This is just ridiculous! Stop taking personal responsibility away from Students! If a Teenager wants to accomplish nothing from their life- well that is their choice! If a Teenager puts for the determination to be successful then Honor that young Person! You never know what is going on in the Home of that young person. Your Honor given might be the only positive Goal that student has to Achieve! When did working hard for what you want become a bad thing? When did Education and achievements take on less Value? Excuse Me!! Isn’t the purpose of a 13 year Public School Education meant to — oh I don’t know— EDUCATE!! To INSTALL KNOWLEDGE IN THE MINDS OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE!!!!! Seriously (Adminstrators) refocus your priorities for what is best for the next generation and start motivating young people to be successful instead of saying we give you permission to not care and will penalize Highly Motivated Students so you don’t feel Bad!! Seriously!! What a messed up was to lead the youth of this nation!

This takes away recognition for students of their hard work and achievements. This is rediculous.

Students need to learn that not everyone wins a trophy. Students should aspire to receive these honors and as result the entire generation gains.

What a horrible idea. You allow children to just graduate.Dont help your community, don't get involved with music. Just try to graduate..If you are the lazy child, it's ok, just graduate.Dont work at Anything, Terrible administration...

Every military around the globe recognize individual achievement, this is the reality! Without the competitive spirit, neither greatness nor progress can be achieved for all of mankind!

Seriously, why doesn't ISD spend their time and focus to help the kids who are having difficulty achieving (read -dyslexia support) instead of using that energy to take away from kids who worked hard and over-achieved in education or community involvement. This is dumber than a bag of hammers.