Pledge stays the same, valedictorians could go at Wake County schools

One proposed change to the pledge included an opportunity to teach students about the history concerning coercion and the importance of the First Amendment to the Bill of Rights.

District leaders said the phrase was borrowed from a similar policy at the North Carolina School Board Association. Students could chose not to participate in the pledge under the proposed policy.

That language will now be removed from the proposal after some people voiced concern.

In another policy, the days of valedictorians and salutatorians might be over in Wake County Schools.

The problem, especially in large schools, is that very small percentages can separate students at the top of the class. To avoid listing multiple valedictorians, the district may start using the Latin system. Top students would graduate summa cum laude or magna cum laude.

The switch would allow the school system to recognize multiple top students in a school.

The proposals must go to the full school board for consideration and approval.