In 1894, Harvard University commissioned a report on grading standards, due to concerns that: Grades A and B are sometimes given too readily – Grade A for work of no very high merit, and Grade B for work not far above mediocrity. More than a century later, the fear of declining academic standards continues. In Australia, there […] … learn more→

The evaluation of students by notation has been the subject of numerous criticisms, in particular from the didactician of mathematics André Antibi, who denounced, in a resounding way, a “macabre constant” . The formula refers to the social pressure that would push teachers, for the assessments to be considered credible, to put a certain percentage of bad marks regardless of […] … learn more→

Like rain from an approaching hurricane, the madness from our degenerating campuses pours down ever harder. The latest: College writing seminar will tell profs to not grade based on quality of writing in order to fight ‘white language supremacy.’ I grant this is just a seminar and not a pronouncement from on high by admin […] … learn more→

“Drink Brawndo. It Has Electrolytes!” –from the movie Idiocracy, which presents an alarmingly credible look into our future. The word “inclusive” is used much like electrolytes in the movie, without considering if there’s any evidence having such things is always a good idea. Hey, remember last post where the Progressives had decided students can’t be […] … learn more→

A few weeks back, another odd story from higher ed made the rounds. A professor decided on a new grading policy: Professor lets ‘stressed’ students decide their own grade Hey, grades are stressful, even assigning them isn’t fun.As a student I hated getting grades…I particularly hated bad grades, which is why I generally studied hard […] … learn more→