Student’s Future and Grade Inflation

Categories: Grades

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Grade inflation is a major issue that interferes with a student’s future. It is certain that grade inflation not only exists in high schools but also in some college campuses. A 2012 study from Stuart Rojstaczer, a Washington Post co-author, stated that “during the Vietnam War, flunking out meant becoming eligible for the draft.” In this case, it was an issue of life and death because you were excused from going to war only if you were a college student. Now a day, if you no longer want to attend college, you can quit anytime without having to go risk your life.

It would have made sense to have grade inflation available to students back then because they had this pressure on their shoulders but now, there is no need to have this sort of academic boost on grades.

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Therefore, grade inflation is a complicated issue that negatively affects college students and their educational careers as well as, those individuals around them.

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Students and their futures are not the only things affected because it also takes a toll on future employers, professors, and even family (mainly parents).

This issue tends to make students become less active in their academics. According to Rojstaczer, the author of “Grade Inflation Gone Wild,” a student who is aware that he or she can easily pass a class will most likely “give minimal effort” (Rojstaczer). This means that instead of preparing for class by studying beforehand, they will find a hobby that will occupy their time.

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Students who do not put in the time and dedication into their studies may not be suffering the consequences at this very moment but, it will greatly affect them in the long run especially when they enter the workforce.

In addition, they will lack experience in that field of study because even though they were given a passing grade, they did not obtain the knowledge required for that area. Also, Primack, the author of “Doesn’t Anybody Get a C Anymore,” states the following “Grade inflation hides laziness on the part of the students…” (Primack). Therefore, it restricts them from reaching their full potential because they will not be challenging their abilities as they should be doing. As a result, future employers will be affected by this issue because it makes it more difficult for them to distinguish between those who earned an A by making sacrifices versus those students who earned an A due to inflated grades.

The value of education a student receives will decrease as well. For example, Rojstaczer states “I had to get with the program and reduce my own expectations of workload and increase grades…” (Primack). Even professors are forced to lower their curriculum to satisfy their students’ needs and because they want students to recommend their class to incoming freshman. This indicates that students will be provided with a degraded form of education that will not be beneficial for their futures. They may be taking the easy road but, having obstacles along the way will help students grow as individuals and as students. Not receiving the appropriate type of education will have a negative impact on students especially when they enter the real world. For instance, they will not be qualified to work in that particular field because they will lack those skills. Also, they will not be aware of what is expected of them and each profession has its own consequences if the work is not done correctly. This does not only affect students and professors but also the parents who are paying for all the tuition costs. This means that the students will not gain the knowledge they will need for the future and the parents will have their money go down the drain (because of the poor quality of education their son or daughter received).

Although grade inflation is a problematic issue that negatively affects the educational system, it assures that students will keep a “good” GPA while schools will continue to have their long-lasting reputations. According to Oppenheimer’s published article in The Washington Post, “A Yale report found that 62 percent of all Yale grades are A or A-minus” (Oppenheimer). Those grades will reflect back to the school by entitling Yale (or any other school that inflates grades) with an amazing reputation that will attract undergraduate students to attend. On the other hand, it will be beneficial for students because they will be granted with a high and stable GPA while also relieving stress (which is very common in college students). It guarantees that students will be more engaged with the class rather than trying to deal with all of the stress that comes their way. Although this may seem beneficial for students, it creates an unequal distribution of grades by not recognizing those students who earned their grades through intense commitment. Also, prestige schools tend to have more grade inflation involved which will eventually grant more opportunities to those students while restricting other students from having the same chance.

According to Sita Slovav’s article entitled “How to Fix College Grade Inflation,” a possible solution that can deal with this issue includes making “grade inflation more like price inflation” (Slovav). Increasing the grade percentages will challenge students while also helping them reach their full potential. Tim Hartford, an economist, stated that “Under such a system, today’s B becomes tomorrow’s A+, tomorrow A+ becomes the day after tomorrow’s A+++, and so on” (Slovav). This would mean that a professor’s expectations will rise, and students will have to be prepared to give it their all-in order to pass all their classes. This is an effective solution because “Employers and graduate schools could simply deflate grades the same way that economists deflate prices in order to compare them over time” (Slovav). Comparing those grades will distinguish each student from one another while also giving them the equal chance of succeeding.

Grade inflation is a widely known complex issue that must be taken into consideration. We must examine the impact that an individual can have on society if this continues. What will the future hold with so many unprepared students? The future lies in our hands, so we must invest our time and money only on an education that will help us thrive. We must not settle for less because we all deserve the best.