Statistics suggest the prevalence of grade inflation nationwide, and researchers perform many analyses on student grades at both university and college levels. This analysis focuses on a one-credit library instruction course for undergraduate students at a large public university. The studies examine thirty semester GPAs and the percentages of As…

The arguments and for and against minimum grading systems have grown increasingly more intense and acrimonious in the past decade. However, there has been an absence of empirical data, theory and clear comparative analyses of conflicting points of view. Critics of minimum grading contend that the practice will produce grade inflation and social…

This study examined the relationship between students' self-reported high school grade point average (HSGPA) from the SAT Questionnaire and their HSGPA provided by the colleges and universities they attend. The purpose of this research was to offer updated information on the relatedness of self-reported (by the student) and school-reported (by the…

Grade inflation has reduced the usefulness of the Quality Point Average as a hiring device. The Relative Performance Index, which expresses student performance relative to other students enrolled in the same course sections, is proposed as a better tool. (SK)

A study of grading practices at Christopher Newport College (Virginia) was conducted, using as data the grades awarded from 1979 to 1986. Differences between "in-department" and "out-of-department" grades were also analyzed, for all students enrolled in courses in more than one department. Results included the following: (1)…

Two studies examining the effect of grade inflation on the piling up of grades in fewer grade categories and on the reliability of grade point averages found that reliability suffered significantly only in graduate study in which almost all grades were in two categories, A and B. Some other small effects were found in different rating scales. (MSE)

A study of whether true grade inflation existed at a college, the scope of the problem if it existed, and what corrective steps, if any, ought to be taken was limited to the years 1979-1986. Data suggest that true grade inflation probably exists or cannot be ruled out. (MLW)

Grade distribution patterns at Humboldt State University in California were examined over a five-year period on the basis of mode of instruction and by academic department. The grade distributions for each academic department were compared with the other departments within the same school, and the distribution for each school was compared with…

A survey of undergraduate grade point averages from 1960 to 1974 at 50 institutions indicates a steady increase during that period. If the current concern about grade inflation is sustained, more institutions will probably explore methods to extend the distinctions that record the scholastic achievement of undergraduates. (LBH)

Grade inflation is defined and the interplay between grading and evaluation are discussed. A solution to the problem of grade inflation is proposed: persuade the faculty members at a number of leading institutions to regard C+/B- as the appropriate median grade. (MLW)

This article on grading practices in colleges considers the following issues: the more extensive utilization of nontraditional grades by many institutions, the practices of some institutions of not giving or not recording D and/or F grades, the policy of permitting unlimited repeating of courses with the last or highest grade received used in…

Grade inflation has occurred in postsecondary institutions and has been accompanied by a concomitant rise in grade-point average. Nursing educators are expected to prepare competent future nurses. Because many nursing programs use grade-point average as admission, retention, and progression criteria, it is imperative that grades accurately reflect…

Grades of 1982 Clemson graduates in various academic majors were studied. In addition to determining whether grade inflation occurs differentially across majors, the position of education majors was compared to that of other majors. The following 10 majors were assessed: early childhood education, elementary education, secondary education/science…

This study analyzed grades for 55 graduate major fields to determine whether or not there are differences in the grading patterns of the various fields. The study population consisted of 7,002 graduate students with 80,011 grades. The study period extended from fall 1970 through fall 1975. Across the range of graduate major fields of study, grades…

The possible existence of grade inflation at the Indiana University at South Bend was examined in this research study, along with possible differences in grades received between the divisions of Education and Arts and Sciences. Questions raised by the Division of Education Ad Hoc Committee on Standards at IUSB prompted the study. The sample…