Sunday, April 19, 2026

Inflated Grades?

There is a controversy over university grades at the moment, in the USA. It centres on Harvard College, where about two-thirds of grades in the last school year were A’s. What they want to do now is limit the number of A's -- however, that has met with protest. My own students, last semester, averaged 85%, which is on the edge of A and A-minus. Could I have inflated their grades (or marks)? Through my teaching, perhaps -- but isn't that what teaching is for. The exam I set for them is moderated, both internally and externally. And after they have sat the exam, the result I give them is moderated, both internally and externally. That means it is all gone over six times -- in keeping with module content and a rubric, too. At least in South Africa, I don't see much room for inflated grades. OBSERVATION: It is possible to skew grades by telling one's class in advance what will be in the exam (say, by sharing the exam key). Needless to say, that is forbidden. The photo shows an exam hall.

No comments: