Forced grade distributions

Wharton management prof Adam Grant argues in a recent NYT op-ed that colleges should not use forced distributions when handing out grades.  In a forced distributions, there are limits on the number of students who can receive a particular grade, e.g., only 25% can get A's, the next 35% can get B's.  This type of system is in place in core classes at many of the world's leading business schools.

Grant sees two serious defects: one related to fairness and the other related to collegiality.  The forced curve might say there can only be ten A's in a class, but what if 15 students have performed at A level?  What if only five students perform at A level, do the other five get an A anyway?  Experienced professors who have taught the same course year after year are in a very good position to make sure grades are equitable relative to standards, Grant argues.  As for collegiality, forced distributions turn classmates into adversaries in what Grant calls a "zero-sum game."

Forced distributions do prevent grade inflation.  Today over 40 percent of all grades are in the A range.  Grant in essence is arguing whether the cure is a larger danger than the disease.

Closing note:  there are no forced grade distributions in the NC State MBA program.

Kicking it up a notch on grade inflation

Times are tough for many law school graduates.  Saddled with debt.  Few job prospects.  What can a school do to help its alums? 

Amazingly, a number of law schools have decided to increase student grades in courses that already have been completed, according to today's NYT.   Loyola Law School in LA is adding 0.333 to the GRA of all of its recent graduates.  Why?  Apparently Loyola professors had been tougher graders than those at other California law schools, so the school decided they needed to boost grades to make their grads more competitive in a tough market.  Other schools have made the same sort of change, but unlike Loyola they have not announced it to employers. 

A word to the wise to current NC State MBAs: don't hold your breath.