April 12, 2002

Grade Conflation: a Question of Credibility

By RICHARD KAMBER and MARY BIGGS

Grade inflation is back in the news. Several months ago, Harvard University stirred media attention with a report that, in 2001, half of its undergraduate grades were A or A-minus. More recently, a second report, sponsored by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, marshaled statistical evidence of nationwide grade inflation and suggested ways for institutions to improve their evaluation of student performance.

Although such renewed attention is a welcome sign that the country is

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