The points below are presented to answer common questions:
What is the new policy on grading, approved by the faculty in April 2004?
- The average grade in 100- and 200-level courses should be no higher than B+ (3.33)
- The median grade for courses will be recorded on student grade reports (but not official transcripts).
Why did the faculty choose to adopt a new policy?
- The ultimate purpose of these measures is to insure Wellesley’s commitment to excellence.
- The inflation and compression of grades that has occurred obscure vital distinctions in performance.
- Current grading practices are inconsistent with the College’s legislated standards.
- Inflated grades may indicate that students are not being adequately challenged.
- The inflation of our grades relative to other institutions undermines our credibility and reputation.
- The disparity in grades between different departments penalizes students majoring in lower-grading fields and gives students misleading information about their abilities and achievements.
Are there exceptions to the B+ average?
- Yes. Courses with fewer than 10 students are not bound by this rule if faculty provide an explanation to the chair of the curriculum committee.
- 300-level courses are not included under the B+ rule.
Does the policy require that faculty grade “on a curve”?
- No, There is no mandated limit on the number of A’s or any other grade, and no stipulation that there be some percentage of grades in each letter range. The only requirement is that the average grade not exceed B+.
- The new policy will not prevent students from getting the grades that they earn.
What about courses with many credit/non enrollments or late withdrawals?
- Faculty can include estimated grades for those students in calculating the class average.
Will GPAs go down?
- GPAs have already begun to come down as we have started discussing grading policy. Some students’ GPAs will undoubtedly decrease as average grades decrease.
It is expected that grades and GPAs will more meaningfully represent achievement in courses.
Won’t Wellesley students be at a disadvantage compared to students from other colleges?
- Although grade inflation is an issue everywhere, the problems of inflation and compression appear to be greater at Wellesley than at most other institutions. In recent studies, Wellesley’s grades were the highest among our cohort institutions.
- Realistic grades, coupled with recommendations and scores on standardized exams, should enhance the credibility of our students’ credentials for employment and graduate education.
- Pre-professional committees will continue to work with students, presenting the most persuasive application materials based on their records.
How will the policy be monitored and evaluated?
- The curriculum committee (CCI) will collect data on grading.
- The chair of CCI will report each semester to Academic Council. The report will include information on distribution of grades by course level and department and any reasons for exceptions to the B+ rule.
- Academic departments should discuss these data at least once a year.
- The grading standards will be reevaluated by CCI at the end of a three-year period.
What other oversight is expected?
- The dean of the college and chair of CCI will monitor courses in which grades are restricted to the A range. They will consult with departments and individuals to determine if these courses should be offered on a credit/non basis.
- New faculty will be informed of the policy by the dean of the college and during new faculty orientation.
To whom should further questions be addressed?
- To the Office of the Dean of the College
- To the Committee on Curriculum and Instruction