Examines the history surrounding grade inflation at Harvard University and discusses the view that the presence of black students initiated and perpetuated the practice. The author finds no relationship between grade inflation and the presence of black students in higher education but does present alternative explanations. (GLR)

Explaining that grade inflation may result from the professor's competition for favorable student evaluations, asserts that the Theory of Games could be useful for analyzing interactions among professors and their impact on the number of students attracted to their courses. Presents a model based on these assumptions and analyzes policy-relevant…

The exclusive use of academic course grades as sole admission criteria for Ontario universities is discussed, in light of heavy competition and questionable grade enhancement practices. In particular, the ranking of schools and factoring in of this information in admission decisions about individual students is seen as potentially discriminatory.…

Studied the factors contributing to the widely reported increase in average undergraduate grades by analyzing grades of 22,792 students from the mid-1980s and 29,464 from the mid-1990s. Found evidence of grade inflation in some cases, and grade deflation in others. Findings indicate that academic effort was rewarded consistently across time at all…

This study investigates empirically the mechanisms behind the increasing grade point averages in Swedish upper secondary schools. Four hypotheses are presented as plausible explanations; improved student achievements, student selection effects, strategic behaviour in course choices, and lowering of grading standards. The analysis is based on…

Included herein is the conference proceedings of the 26th Annual Conference on the Teaching of Psychology: Ideas and Innovations, sponsored by the Psychology Department of the State University of New York at Farmingdale. The conference theme for 2012 was: The value of an undergraduate degree in psychology: Why psychology--Why now?. The Conference…

A rationale, goals, and the procedure for instituting a quality point system to assess high school students' academic achievement in Gainesville (Georgia) High School are outlined. Hypothetical examples of converting grade point averages to quality point averages in low, average, and high difficulty courses are provided to show the impact of the…

The extent of grade inflation at the college level, possible causes of the phenomenon, and its potential consequences for colleges and universities and the individual student are discussed. Grade inflation since 1965 has been attributed to the following possible causes: grade point averages (GPA) have increased because of real changes in high…

Reviews and extends arguments regarding influences of grades and grading structures on student evaluations of instruction. Original arguments were set forth in the Journal of Economic Education. Concludes that grade inflation will encourage students to perceive their education as inferior and will not result, in the long run, in positive course…

Based on questionnaire survey responses from 45 Pennsylvania and New England institutions, a significant increase in honors awards is discussed and related to the overall national grade inflation previously documented. (LBH)

The number of seniors eligible for admission to an interdisciplinary honor society from various academic disciplines varied substantially when three methods of selection were compared using grade point average as the criterion. This is the finding from a study of grade inflation and grading standards on student academic award selection. (JN)

Contends that a pervasive relativistic philosophy, emphasizing supremacy of self-interest and self-expression and eliminating "middle-class values," upgrading, and standards, underlies the serious problems in American public education. (SK)

Time spent on homework was found to be important in determining student grades. Further, it was suggested that increased homework demands and more stringent grading standards might increase both student achievement and confidence in schools. (Author/AL)

The issue of grade inflation is clarified by examining the database of the College Board's Validity Study Service. Also examined is the effect of grade inflation on the validity of the Scholastic Aptitude Test across a 15-year period. (Author/GK)

The author, a professor of education, is not surprised at the public outcry over incompetent teachers. He cites examples from his own experience of education students who cannot write, who prefer not to think or deal with theory, and who treat grades as a numbers game. (SJL)