The lessons of 'grade inflation' [IrishTimes]
- Published: 11 March 2010
Madam, – The current discussion on grade inflation brings back fond memories of when I taught in a third-level college in Ireland in the 1980s. The EU had given money to finance students who wished to proceed from a two-year certificate course to a third year of study which would result in the award of a diploma.
However, there was a problem. None of the students who had completed the two-year course had received the necessary marks to allow them to proceed to the third year. No problem: at the examination board meeting, the head of the college decided that the grades of all the students should be increased to the required entry level for the diploma course.
Instant grade hyperinflation was necessary to “get the EU money.” – Yours, etc,
Dr JAMES QUINN,
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