GRADE DISTRIBUTION FALL 2003 SEMESTER Information Report To The WV Higher Education Policy Commission April 23, 2004

4/23/04 2Grade Analysis GRADE DISTRIBUTION ANALYSIS Initiated in response to review of D and F grade forgiveness policy and related questions Initiated in response to review of D and F grade forgiveness policy and related questions Grade inflation has been an issue on campuses for many years but has received regional and national media attention in the last two years Grade inflation has been an issue on campuses for many years but has received regional and national media attention in the last two years Highlights the need for additional tools to measure student learning and value added by higher education experience Highlights the need for additional tools to measure student learning and value added by higher education experience Profile reports will be added to HEPC annual publication schedule Profile reports will be added to HEPC annual publication schedule

4/23/04 3Grade Analysis RECENT ARTICLES Washington Post and USA Today articles highlighted the grading practices at Princeton, Harvard, Duke and others. Washington Post and USA Today articles highlighted the grading practices at Princeton, Harvard, Duke and others. USA Today USA Today Fewer than 20% of all college students receive grades below a B-minus (American Academy of Arts & Sciences). That hardly seems justified at a time when a third of all college students arrive on campus so unprepared that they need to take at least one remedial course. Fewer than 20% of all college students receive grades below a B-minus (American Academy of Arts & Sciences). That hardly seems justified at a time when a third of all college students arrive on campus so unprepared that they need to take at least one remedial course. Princeton has proposed a cap of 35 percent for A and A- grades by department and college. Princeton has proposed a cap of 35 percent for A and A- grades by department and college.

4/23/04 4Grade Analysis RECENT ARTICLES The Virginian-Pilot reported that The Virginian-Pilot reported that A and A-minus grades represented 43% of all grades at William and Mary, 41% at the University of Virginia, 33% at Old Dominion University, and 26% at Norfolk State University A and A-minus grades represented 43% of all grades at William and Mary, 41% at the University of Virginia, 33% at Old Dominion University, and 26% at Norfolk State University The highest grades were assigned in classes in ROTC or Military Science, Music and Education The highest grades were assigned in classes in ROTC or Military Science, Music and Education The lowest grades were assigned in Math, Economics, and the Sciences The lowest grades were assigned in Math, Economics, and the Sciences

4/23/04 5Grade Analysis OBSERVATIONS This has been an issue for more than 40 years This has been an issue for more than 40 years Historical trends have been documented in many studies Historical trends have been documented in many studies Inconsistency in performance of high school students, collegiate placement in remedial courses, and grades assigned Inconsistency in performance of high school students, collegiate placement in remedial courses, and grades assigned Appears to be less of a problem in WV than in many other states and institutions Appears to be less of a problem in WV than in many other states and institutions Discipline grading practices are very similar to those reported in Virginia Discipline grading practices are very similar to those reported in Virginia Overall, WV institutions would not have problem meeting the proposed policy at Princeton University: maximum of 35 percent of grades can be A or A+ Overall, WV institutions would not have problem meeting the proposed policy at Princeton University: maximum of 35 percent of grades can be A or A+

4/23/04 6Grade Analysis UNDERGRADUATE GRADES Fall 2003 All Institutions

4/23/04 7Grade Analysis UNDERGRADUATE GRADES Fall 2003 Four-Year Campuses

4/23/04 8Grade Analysis UNDERGRADUATE GRADES Fall 2003 Two-Year Campuses

4/23/04 9Grade Analysis GRADUATE & PROFESSIONAL COURSES FALL 2003 ALL INSTITUTIONS

4/23/04 10Grade Analysis HIGH “A” PERCENTAGE DISCIPLINES Military Science/ROTC 75 Leisure & Recreation 64 Liberal & General Science 64 Education57 Parks & Recreation 56 Library Science 55 Visual & Performing Arts 48 Agriculture47 Health & Related 45 Area Studies 44 Public Administration 44 Engineering40

4/23/04 11Grade Analysis LOW “A” PERCENTAGE DISCIPLINES Mathematics19 Biological Science 22 History22 Architecture24 Physical Science 25 Protective Services 25 Social Science 25 Natural Resources 27 Philosophy & Religion 27 Psychology28 Computer & Info Science 29 Engineering Technology 29

GRADE DISTRIBUTION FALL 2003 SEMESTER WV Higher Education Policy Commission April 2004