THIS REALITY is underscored by the experience of students who navigate school strategically, aiming not to learn deeply but to maintain high GPAs. Such an approach, which values grades over intellectual curiosity, reflects a shift in how students approach education. As noted in a study by the new DOST-SEI director, Dr. Jayeel Cornelio, some students select courses or instructors they believe will yield higher grades, diminishing the incentive to engage in rigorous intellectual exploration. This approach produces graduates who are well-versed in exam-taking but often unprepared for the complexity of real-world challenges.
Latin honors are meant to signify academic excellence, but what happens when this distinction loses its luster? Educators like Randy David argue that academic honors should challenge students to develop critical thinking skills and confront intellectual discomfort. When honors become widely attainable, their motivational impact diminishes, transforming them from rare achievements into standard fare. When detached from real mastery, the pursuit of excellence risks reducing education to a “race to the top” in terms of grades alone.
To assess Latin honors’ real-world relevance, one needs only consult employers. Many hiring managers have noted a disconnect between academic accolades and job performance, often finding that a candidate’s GPA holds less weight than demonstrated adaptability and practical knowledge. As local HR practitioner Jeremaiah Opiniano observes, graduates who excel academically are sometimes ill-equipped for the nuanced demands of the workplace, including interpersonal skills and resilience. This sentiment echoes findings in a 2023 study from Harvard Business Review, where employers ranked “learning agility” and “critical thinking” above grades or honors in terms of career success.
We are not alone in facing this issue; grade inflation has been a topic of concern worldwide. The number of high-achieving students has soared in the United States and the United Kingdom. Researchers like Valen Johnson in “Grade Inflation: A Crisis in College Education” warn that this trend diminishes the integrity of academic credentials, making it difficult for employers to discern genuine academic rigor. It reflects a broader shift in educational priorities, with teachers and institutions feeling pressured to retain students through grade-based incentives rather than promoting deeper engagement with the material.
Ultimately, the debate over Latin honors asks us to examine what education truly means. In the tradition of integrity and self-reflection that guides us, it is worth considering how these honors serve students’ growth beyond academia. Are we nurturing students who value the pursuit of knowledge, or are we creating graduates skilled in navigating a grading system? Excellence is about self-discipline and a commitment to truth, not just achievement for its own sake. The real honor lies not in the title but in applying one’s education to create a meaningful impact.
Sadly, the glitter of Latin honors has undoubtedly faded under the weight of grade inflation and shifting standards. But if we return to the core values of educationācuriosity, integrity, resilienceāperhaps these honors can regain their value, not as common currency but as symbols of a genuine learning journey. After all, in a world of many summa cum laudes, perhaps the rarest quality of all is authenticity.
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Doc H fondly describes himself as a “student of and for life” who, like many others, aspires to a life-giving and why-driven world grounded in social justice and the pursuit of happiness. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the institutions he is employed or connected with./PN
