??
There was money. How does this lead to grade inflation?
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Too bad. I don't know if this book is still in favor, but I enjoyed it when I was in English comp.
https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/598501753219317760
This is a subject that could have its own thread, but, to simplify it, here goes:
1. With state budget shortfalls, public schools have sought alternative means of sustaining themselves.
2. In the process, many business folk have been consulted or even hired to administrative positions. Today, more so than ever, college is a business.
3. The Humanities, in particular, has to fight and claw to make itself still relevant in the eyes of corporatists. Failing a bunch of students is not a way to do this. So, we've had to lower our standards, even though it's not an official policy. It's just implicitly understood.
4. As a business trying to make as much money as possible, colleges now accept way too many students who aren't even qualified. A college instructor 20-30 years ago was dealing with much more qualified students than a college instructor today.
Hopefully points 3 and 4 help you understand the historical grade disparities. While they would seem to make no sense out of context, it is all about money and business and sustaining oneself and his or her dept. In the process, standards are lowered. I don't necessarily think students are receiving a poorer education than in previous errors, but I do think we are graduating poorer students, if that makes any sense.