The debate over the grading system in American universities has been ongoing, with some arguing that it’s time to abolish grades altogether. German-American political scientist Yascha Mounk recently penned a Wall Street Journal op-ed arguing that the grading system has become meaningless, and it’s time for a change.
Grade inflation in American universities has reached alarming levels. The average GPA at elite schools like Harvard has skyrocketed over the years, rendering the grading system pointless. Mounk suggests that universities view students as prized customers, and catering to their demands and lifestyles is an easy way to satisfy them.
Mounk argues that the culture of politeness in the US discourages giving critical feedback, and professors have grown uncomfortable wielding authority over students as evaluators. This dynamic has led to a lack of honest assessments, and students can no longer gauge their actual performance.
The consequences of meaningless grades are far-reaching. Employers can’t pick suitable candidates, exacerbating the talent shortage in tech. Moreover, with the rise of generative AI in job applications, the situation is set to worsen.
Mounk proposes that universities adopt a more meaningful grading system, such as grading on a strict curve, capping high grades, or adopting more granular scoring systems. However, he suggests that a more radical approach may be necessary.
Mounk’s proposal to abolish grades altogether in favor of pass/fail scoring may be the “least bad option” until academia finds the will to start fresh with honest evaluations. Some elite grad schools have already made this change, and it may be time for American universities to follow suit.
This approach is not without its challenges, but Mounk argues that it’s a necessary step towards restoring meaning to the grading system and giving students a more accurate assessment of their performance.
The Impact of Grade Inflation on American Universities
The current grading system in American universities has become a charade, rendering grades meaningless. Yascha Mounk, a German-American political scientist and author, argues that universities are increasingly viewing students as “prized customers” due to rising tuition costs, leading to a culture of inflated grades. Professors are also hesitant to give critical feedback, fearing they might offend students.
Mounk suggests that abolishing grades altogether in favor of pass/fail scoring might be the least bad option. Some elite grad schools have already made this change. This would allow students to gauge their actual performance and employers to pick suitable candidates.
Before abolishing grades, universities could adopt more meaningful standards such as grading on a strict curve, capping high grades, or adopting more granular scoring systems. However, Mounk points out that universities adopting unpopular reforms would risk tanking in the rankings.