Abstract
This article examines grade inflation in communication and theatre programs, situating the issue within broader trends in higher education. While national studies have shown rising undergraduate grades despite declining SAT scores, departmental data from Indiana University reveal both periods of grade inflation and more recent declines. The discussion highlights multiple causes, including liberal withdrawal policies, student pressure for career-oriented courses, faculty differences in grading philosophy, and fears of poor student evaluations. Special attention is given to challenges in performance-based courses where instructors may be tempted to inflate grades to protect student self-esteem. Potential consequences include disadvantaging strong students, undermining credibility of transcripts, and increasing reliance on standardized tests for graduate admissions. The article concludes that grading integrity is essential and suggests alternatives such as reporting relative performance to place student grades in clearer context.
Recommended Citation
Dick, Robert C.
(1988)
"Effects of Grade Inflation on Speech Communication Majors,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 63, Article 10.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol63/iss1/10
