College grade inflation: Does ‘A’ stand for ‘average’?

Published November 21, 2013 7:16pm ET



USA TODAY – There was a time when a C meant average.

The average GPA at four-year colleges and universities has risen from 2.52 in the 1950s to 3.11 in 2006. And according to Stuart Rojstaczer, a former Duke University professor and founder of GradeInflation.com, GPAs only keep rising.

At some colleges, Rojstaczer says, over 50% of the grades given are A’s. And while students may be happy, it begs the question: What does an A grade mean?

“In a fair grading system, you reward people for their outstanding achievements,” Rojstaczer says. “It’s a fair system for students who are working hard and are creative to excel. (Grade inflation) lowers the intensity and intellectual level in many classes.”

Read more at USA TODAY.