Full Version: Grade Inflation
I was reading the current NEwsweek article about the state of affirmative action programs in regards to the University of Michigan Supreme Court case and I stumbled upon an remarkable fact.
A girl was quoted who went to Highland Park High School (I belive that is the accurate name) in the affluent Dallas neighborhood that houses SMU. She was the example of someone who was not guaranteed admittance to the University of Texas despite the fact that she had an SAT score like 1480 and that she was a national merit scholarship finalist (based on PSAT scores)
The point was that the article went on to say that if she had received all A's throughout her four year high school career she would not have been in her school's top ten percent. To be eligible she would have had to taken honors and ap courses to boost her above a 4.0. I am sure that her school is good and that many students at her school take their studies seriously, but what state have our schools gone to when so many get perfect grades all through their academic careers. I contend that too many schools act as if a stands for average rather than excellent. Comments?
A girl was quoted who went to Highland Park High School (I belive that is the accurate name) in the affluent Dallas neighborhood that houses SMU. She was the example of someone who was not guaranteed admittance to the University of Texas despite the fact that she had an SAT score like 1480 and that she was a national merit scholarship finalist (based on PSAT scores)
The point was that the article went on to say that if she had received all A's throughout her four year high school career she would not have been in her school's top ten percent. To be eligible she would have had to taken honors and ap courses to boost her above a 4.0. I am sure that her school is good and that many students at her school take their studies seriously, but what state have our schools gone to when so many get perfect grades all through their academic careers. I contend that too many schools act as if a stands for average rather than excellent. Comments?
I don't think there is any doubt in anyone's mind, especially if you have taught in the public schools (I can't speak for the private schools) like I have (in a performing arts high school). Grades are not only inflated they are flatulated (sorry couldn't resist).
If the teacher gives a test, a certain percentage of the class is guaranteed to get good grades, if not actually, then on a curve. I have heard of teachers being called into the administration if they flunked too many. Now, one could say that the teacher didn't prepare the students for the test. But grades are also given on the basis of homework, other work completed, as well as overall effort.
I have had kids fail just on the basis of attendance.
U.S. News and World Report (I believe that's where I saw it) several years ago had a article detailing this at major ivy league schools. Sure makes them look better doesn't it?
If the teacher gives a test, a certain percentage of the class is guaranteed to get good grades, if not actually, then on a curve. I have heard of teachers being called into the administration if they flunked too many. Now, one could say that the teacher didn't prepare the students for the test. But grades are also given on the basis of homework, other work completed, as well as overall effort.
I have had kids fail just on the basis of attendance.
U.S. News and World Report (I believe that's where I saw it) several years ago had a article detailing this at major ivy league schools. Sure makes them look better doesn't it?
Yes, it's become respectively easy to recieve a high GPA. Being a high school student, I would know. I take all honors classes, maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
Yeah, 4.0 GPAs make you look better, but weighted GPAs (meaning you take AP, honors classes) look even better. Colleges have started looking into course choices, as well. About a week ago, I picked up Stanford materials. They quoted that "academic excellence is the primary criterion for admission, and the most important credential is the transcript: We seek outstanding students who have selected a rigorous academic program..."
With no doubt, hard courses with a great GPA is better than easy courses with a perfect GPA.
What do you think is better? Hard courses with an okay or mediocre GPA? or easy courses with an excellent GPA?
Yeah, 4.0 GPAs make you look better, but weighted GPAs (meaning you take AP, honors classes) look even better. Colleges have started looking into course choices, as well. About a week ago, I picked up Stanford materials. They quoted that "academic excellence is the primary criterion for admission, and the most important credential is the transcript: We seek outstanding students who have selected a rigorous academic program..."
With no doubt, hard courses with a great GPA is better than easy courses with a perfect GPA.
What do you think is better? Hard courses with an okay or mediocre GPA? or easy courses with an excellent GPA?
It seems that this high school has very high grade point averages in the easy and the hard classes.
I think a rigorous grading scale is a good tool for instilling a more complete education.
The real question is how hard have you been pushed to reach your 4.0. Do you feel your effort has been perfect? Does your perfect GPA make you the school valedictorian?
BTW, Congratulations on the excellent grades.
I think a rigorous grading scale is a good tool for instilling a more complete education.
The real question is how hard have you been pushed to reach your 4.0. Do you feel your effort has been perfect? Does your perfect GPA make you the school valedictorian?
BTW, Congratulations on the excellent grades.
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