text: Of course, when I took Debate in High School, you were actually graded on what you did and how well.  I only got a "B".  Today, as I understand it, there are multiple Valedictorians and multiple Salutatorians because of grade inflation.  We only had one of each.  The Lake Woebegone principle that "Everyone is Above Average" was not part of our reality.  It was called 'earning' your grade as I recall it.  I don't recall my teacher's name, but I do recall some of her rather pointed critiques of my performances.  A "commitment to principles of logical argumentation" is illusory unless it is rigorously tested and evaluated, in my opinion.   I'm not sure that is still possible in Oregon public education.