As we begin a new academic year, it’s an apt time to review grading practices. No small part of that is to define what constitutes the grade of A.
Not too long ago grades were clearly delineated. An A stood for excellence; a B was the result of solid work that fell short of excellence; a C was average; a D was barely passing; and an F was a failing grade. However, a recent article in The Chronicle newsletter noted that the huge emphasis on grades in the world of work today has led to grade inflation. The Chronicle is calling for a redefinition of A–level work in college.
Today, grades are more than an evaluative examination of a student’s performance in a specific class. Grades sort students into who is accepted into popular college majors and who gains admittance to competitive graduate programs. In some cases, parents with high expectations of their offspring are behind the push for As. The drive for high marks also includes high-stakes outcomes such as holding onto grants and scholarships that are dependent on grades. And because GPAs are commonly requested of new grads looking for work, As have become critical outside of academe.
So, what should an A indicate? When the The Chronicle asked professors what merits an A, most included the phrase mastery of the material. Professors said that As were indicative of a student who had absorbed course objectives and showed excellence in all facets of the course: knowledge and application of skills taught, active participation, and attention to detail.
Still, the pressure to earn As is so great for many students that anything less than an A is distressing. For instructors, the pressure to give As is nearly as intense.
The higher demands for high grades and the frequency with which they are awarded, the less they mean. Thus, the way educators define an A has become increasingly fraught.
Classroom Discussion
- How do you think grade inflation affects the opinions of people outside of academic institutions who look at GPAs?
- Do you think instructors should consider anything other than class performance when awarding grades?
- What do you think should earn you an A in your business communication course?
Supiano, B. (2024, May 2.) What does an A really mean? Teaching Newsletter, The Chronicle of Higher Education.