§ 6-18-101 - Qualifications for valedictorian and salutatorian. - Arkansas Statutes

6-18-101. Qualifications for valedictorian and salutatorian.

(a) (1) Only a student who has successfully completed a minimum core of high school courses shall be eligible for the honor of serving as a valedictorian or salutatorian of his or her graduating class.

(2) Only a student who has successfully completed the minimum core of high school courses with a minimum grade point established by the school district or its equivalent shall be eligible for distinction as an honor graduate of a senior class in a high school in this state.

(b) For the purpose of meeting the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, the student must complete the minimum core of courses recommended by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the State Board of Education pursuant to 6-61-217 enlisted during the period of his or her enrollment in high school.

(c) Only a student who is enrolled in a course of study containing the minimum core of high school courses recommended by the coordinating board and the state board pursuant to 6-61-217 shall be eligible for membership in the National Honor Society or any equivalent academic honor society.

(d) (1) A school district may establish an honor roll system to recognize or reward students for academic achievement.

(2) A school district shall not be prohibited from identifying students who qualify for the honor roll or who are eligible to serve as valedictorian or salutatorian of the students' graduating class or who qualify for honor graduate status under this section.

(3) (A) A parent or student who does not want to have the student identified as an honor student or listed on the honor roll shall submit a written request to the principal of the school requesting that the student not be identified.

(B) The school and school district shall not identify any student who has submitted or whose parent has submitted a written request under subdivision (d)(3)(A) of this section.