TIPster, FYI:
The Education Policy Analysis Archives is a peer-reviewed
scholarly journal freely accessible on the internet at
http://epaa.asu.edu
TIPsters, FYI re: the
EPAA has just published Volume 7 Number 30 "Grade Inflation
Rates among Different Ability Students Controlling for Other
Factors " by Stephanie Mc Spirit and Kirk Jones.
The article can be accessed directly at
http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v7n30.html
Grade Inflation Rates among Different Ability Students
Controlling for Other Factors
Stephanie Mc Spirit
Eastern Kentucky University
Kirk E. Jones
Eastern Kentucky University
Abstract
This study compares grade inflation rates among different ability
students at a large, open admissions public University. Specifically,
this study compares trends in graduating grade point average (GPA)
from 1983 to 1996 across low, typical and higher ability students.
This study also tests other explanations for increases in graduating
GPA. These other explanations are changes in 1) ACT score 2) gender
3) college major and 4) vocational programs. With these other
explanations considered, regression results still report an
inflationary trend in graduating GPA. Time, as measured by college
entry year, is still a significant positive predictor of GPA.
More directly, comparisons of regression coefficients reveal lower
ability students as experiencing the highest rate of grade increase.
Higher grade inflation rates among low aptitude students suggest that
faculty might be using grades to encourage learning among marginal
students.
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John C Damron, PhD *
Douglas College, DLC * * *
P.O. Box 2503 * * *
New Westminster, British Columbia
Canada V3L 5B2 FAX:(604) 527-5969
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
FAX (604) 527-5960 Tel: (604) 527-5860
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