Don T Worry About Grade Inflation Jordan Ellenberg Summary

Ask around on a college campus today and you will hear students whose grades are all A’s and B’s. What is going on? Could today’s students be brighter, smarter, keener than students fifty years ago? In 1960, the average grade for college students was around a 2.4 GPA, or a C+ average. In 2006, according to Rojstaczer and Healy, the average grade point average had steadily risen to a 3.0, or a B. “C’s get degrees” is a phrase many college students have probably heard, and maybe even uttered to justify not putting in as much effort as they should. A letter grade of C is the lowest you can achieve in a course in order to count it toward your degree and, until the mid-90’s, C’s were average and perfectly acceptable. Now, with an average grade that is much higher, it is clear that C’s are no longer good enough. It is no secret that grade inflation exists and that grades have been steadily rising for half a century. In his article “Don’t Worry About Grade Inflation,” Jordan Ellenberg argues that, while professors are more

First and foremost, the grading scale is incredibly important because it separates those who work hard from the slackers. When applying to graduate or professional school, a competitive grade point average (GPA) is of the upmost importance. Grades are a way for these schools, along with students and employers, to assess the student’s abilities. Letter grades also motivate students and allow the comparison of student performance across different institutions (Bull). Because of this, it is important that grades remain consistent between institutions. However, because of grade inflation, a B at one school may be considered an accomplishment, whereas most everyone at another school may receive an A. This makes it very difficult for students at state schools to compete with students who have taken classes at community colleges, which are often softer with their