The Dilemma with Grade Inflation

Many individuals believe that grade inflation is causing no harm, that this phenomenon isn't negatively inflicting anything. The students at academic institutions are learning informative subjects for the career he or she is pursuing, once the student is assessed on the material he or she receives the grade that properly shows their level of proficiency. If deemed acceptable by the institution he or she proceeds to more advanced material in hopes of eventually obtaining an adequate job. Now of course when we see this process and witness student grades increase we would like to believe and further state that it is a result of teachers or professors educating or teaching better, it would additionally show that our education system is successful. But we would be assuming that each and every one of those grade increases was earned and is properly reflecting a student's performance. This poses future consequences to our students’ academic performance and their probability of successfully maintaining employment in the workforce. The first consequence will be because of inflated student grades hence the name grade inflation, student grade point averages are also problematic due to GPA's being used to summarize a student's performance an employer might take it into consideration when hiring. Student grades are clearly on the rise at academic institutions even at the most prestigious institutions.

Journalist Phil Primack mentions in a piece that less than a quarter of the individuals attending Harvard in the 50s where receiving a B and a more recent examination of grades shows that over half of the grades at the institution are an A. It would be an outstanding reflection of the students’ academic performance if all those students earned those grades. The dilemma with grade inflation here is that there are students receiving a grade that he or she did not earn through showing proficiency in a skill or subject. Yes, the student was given higher grades but the issue lies with those grades not truly representing that the pupil has performed at a level of mastery for the academic material. An individual may be at a disadvantage when he or she has a teacher or professor that does not believe or associate with inflating grades because we cannot assume that a student will always have an instructor that inflates grades. As a result, his or her academic performance will be compromised because they were not truly adequately prepared for more advanced academics.It is only logical that if grade inflation increases student grades then student grade point averages will also increase.

According to journalist Phil Primack, one university had student grade point averages increase .17 in 10 years. Which will create future dilemmas when individuals are hired by employer’s that used grade point averages to grant employment. After all the objective at the end of the process of pursuing academics in a particular area is to obtain adequate employment in that field. Now not only will the individual be inadequately prepared for future academics that are more advanced but he or she might not even hold the required intellect or skills to work in the profession he or she was hired for. Which can even be dangerous or harmful in certain professions take the example of a business the individual could cost a company money or take it to the extreme case like a medical profession of a doctor that could severely cause harm to one’s health. Of course, when an employer sees this he or she might dismiss the individual due to the individual lacking the required or prior skills that are needed for the profession overall making it harder for the individual to maintain employment. This, of course, will not always be the scenario, it'd be too assertive to assume this and it is evident that the events can transpire differently.

It is commonly argued that some employers do not use student grade point averages or grades to employ individuals. Although employers may not use student grade point averages to employ students it is only logical that employers utilize some form of a student’s educational background like a degree because it is apparent that employers won't admit just anyone into a professional field. The employer not using GPAs or grades is possible because the employer instead may use the individual's masters, bachelors, associates, or Ph.D. in a particular field to determine whether or not to employ the student. But grade inflation still applies to this, a student could have received inflated grades in order to receive any of the degrees previously listed so that one may seek employment in that field. Although I have stated some consequences grade inflation has I do think there is a possible key. The possible key to addressing this issue of grade inflation could be to consider changing how we asses students.

As a current student, it seems evident that the way students are assessed does not measure our ability to learn the material and how much we have mastered but rather measures how well or quickly we can memorize the material. If this changes then we could see students obtaining grades they earned by actually learning the material or skill he or she was assessed on. The importance of this is major when considering how this does not only apply to one individual but tons, it can change how grades are defining an individual in the sense he or she has become proficient in a skill or certain area of academics and represented it when assessed. As a result, the individual will have actually mastered what is needed in a future course and not be at a disadvantage or a weak performance in advanced academics. Not only will this affect academics but whether or not a student actually holds the knowledge and tools that an employer might require or seek. The students will actually hold the grades that they earned and represent how well they have mastered the material or a skill.