According to an article in the Daily Pennsylvanian, grade inflation has had an undesirable effect upon the academic world. Students are making good grades left and right and the Department of Education points out statistical evidence saying that grades of students in college are exceptionally high. The article goes further to say that in an attempt to balance grade inflation it has become standard at many colleges to curve grading in a way that only a certain percentage receive each letter grade. This stance poses many ethical, academic, and efficiency related problems for students and faculty in higher education.
The Pennsylvanian questions the ethics behind the curve; however, the article fails to look into whether or not the curve is sound academically. The article reveals that students resort to back stabbing, cheating, and other unhealthy actions in order to "beat the curve." This mindset instilled in undergrads poses a significant problem as to what type of adults enter our society; beyond the societal and ethical complaints, the curve for grade inflation poses a problem in regards to academic integrity.
The curving policy, while made in an attempt to balance the inflation of grades, is in actuality hindering the academic reputation of many institutions and their programs. For example, the Pennsylvanian evaluates how Princeton is on the tract to lower grades so that only 35 percents of students receive an A. This means that even if students deserve an A for their work and effort, they may not be awarded what they earned. This grade manipulation is affecting the overall perception and performance of the schools in question. The grades do not illustrate if the school is rigorous, or even if a percentage is being met, the curve is not a good thing on any level.
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