The Issue of Grade Inflation

Grade inflation has become a significant concern in American universities, with historical data showing a marked increase in GPAs over the decades. For instance, GPAs rose from 2.38 in 1962 to 2.91 by 1985, and by 2012, 42% of grades awarded were A's. This trend erodes the value of high grades, as they no longer represent exceptional achievement but have instead become commonplace. The normalization of higher grades creates a situation where students' academic records no longer reflect their actual abilities, leading to inflated expectations in the job market.