Why not get rid of grades?
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By Daniel Pink, Contributing Opinion columnist
If you’re looking for continued signs of inflation, bypass your local supermarket and head to Harvard Yard. Twenty years ago, the mean grade-point average for Harvard University undergraduates was 3.41. Today, Harvard’s average GPA has ballooned to 3.8. At America’s oldest university, 79 percent of the grades are now A’s and A-minuses ― a 32 percent increase from 10 years earlier.
And so it goes on campuses across America: Last century’s Gentleman’s C has become this century’s Everykid’s A.
When nations face hyperinflation, they sometimes resort to what’s called “redenomination.” They change the face value of the currency, often by lopping off zeros, or even assign the currency a new name.
Why not consider something similar in higher ed and replace letter grades in college?
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Another big education question:
Talent is fleeing the classroom and these quiet departures have debilitating and long-term effects on students. Dan responded to readers who reacted to his proposal to pay teachers $100,000 a year.
Who is government?
“Who is government?” That’s the question Post Opinions asked several writers to answer before turning them loose in search of remarkable public servants in federal agencies and departments.
These are long reads, but worth your time. Here is a look at the essays in the series:
The Sentinel: Casey Cep on the Department of Veterans Affairs
The Number: John Lanchester on the Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Cyber Sleuth: Geraldine Brooks on the Internal Revenue Service
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Veterans helping Veterans
5moOh WA and OR have already gotten rid of grades just pushing kids to the next grade! The vote for vouchers so parents can choose what school their children attend and do away with the Department of Education
Independent Writing and Editing Professional
5moThis is why so many graduates appear to be stupid today. How did something that once worked become so trivial?
Recruiter and career coach: Helping job seekers land work they love—after layoffs, burnout, or from feeling stuck | High-volume Recruiter and Director, Talent Acquisition: Tech, media, entertainment, creative, etc. DE&I.
5moInteresting. The world has gotten so much more competitive.
Credit Risk Director
5moHow would you measure excellence? Puh-lease