An Ipswitch, Ma., middle-school principal has canceled his school's annual honors assembly because it was too upsetting for some students. Boston's Fox affiliate reports the explanation of Principal David Fabrizio, the man at the center of the silliness: "Honors Night, which can be a great sense of pride for the recipients' families, can also be devastating to a child who has worked extremely hard in a difficult class but who, despite growth, has not been able to maintain a high grade point average."
Fabrizio also justified his decision by claiming it was unfair to reward good grades -- which can be be influenced by the home environment and supportive parents -- because not all of students have access to equal amounts of academic and emotional support.
On the other hand, if there's no recognition given for achievement there's less incentive to achieve. There will always be that small minority who achieve for the sake of achievement, but you can always get them by catching them pointing fingers at each other, or by searching their purses for aspirin.