<p>An interesting study recently pointed to increased data available to students as contributing to grade inflation. In short, students used the information to find the easier courses. One wonders if the use of Internet discussion forums contribute to this as well? It also suggests that students tend to maximize grades rather than content exposure, sounds like a good argument for a strong core.</p>
<p>From the recent edition of the Atlantic Monthly:</p>
<p>"In 1997 Cornell University began posting median grades for every course online, so that students could put their own grades in a larger perspective. (After all, an A in "Physics for Poets" is presumably less impressive than an A in "Physics for Physicists.") The university's theorywhich reveals an astonishing naiveté about human naturewas that this would encourage students to choose more-challenging courses. Instead, according to a paper published early this year by two Cornell economists, the policy provided a case study in how to pump up GPAs. Armed with accurate, official grading information, students used it to pick easy classes and avoid difficult ones..."</p>
<p>Could be a factor but in my opinion there may be several others that are more important. First, there is the "historical" argument that places the start of college grade inflation started in the 1960's: sympathetic professors were said to be reluctant to flunk students out and put them at risk of being drafted. (Proof?). Second, there are technical reasons in the way college GPA's are calculated. For example, students who repeat a course wipe the lower grades from their records. Third, it became easier for students to drop courses well into the semester (a third of the way) with "no grade" (or "passing") and thereby the impact on their GPA was nil. Fourth, curricula became more lax in general (also a product of the 60's), in the sense that it was easier for students to choose programs and courses that they wanted, as opposed to meeting fixed "core" requirements; and when they "elect" courses they are more likely to take courses that they are motivated to do well in.</p>
<p>All this said, there are great differences in the degree of grade inflation across colleges. So there have to be other factors at work.</p>
<p>I agree that there are other factors as well, I was just interested how the increased use of the Internet makes it easier to cherry pick courses.</p>
<p>One current student noted that if you use the report to grade shop you do so at your peril.
He had tried to grade shop a class with a A- median, they changed Professors the new median was a B.</p>
<p>If grad schools or employers really take the time to review transcripts throughly, they will have a better idea of how a student really performed in relation to the other students in the class.</p>
<p>I think it also depends on the major.. for example.. 15 people graduated from my major this spring.. and of those 15, only 2 graduated with honors .. but in my one roommates major, 17 people graduated, and 12 of those 17 graduated with honors. my major does a lot more work than hers, and is a lot tougher overall.. which is easily visable in the overall gpa's for the major...</p>