FAQ about Wellesley’s grading policy

In April of 2004, the members of Academic Council approved by overwhelming majority a resolution on grading standards and policies. The faculty reaffirmed that policy in February of 2008.  The original resolution was presented by the Committee on Curriculum and Instruction (CCI)  after almost two years of careful study and sustained discussion of grading practices at Wellesley. The reaffirmation was voted after another in-depth study by the CCI, examining data on the effects of the policy and faculty opinion via a survey of faculty.  In accord with these votes of Academic Council, the standards and policies are to be applied by all members of the faculty, in all fields of study.

The points below are presented to answer common questions:

What is the policy on grading, approved by the faculty?

• The average grade in 100- and 200-level courses should be no higher than B+ (3.33)

Why did the faculty choose to adopt this policy?

• The ultimate purpose of these measures is to insure Wellesley’s commitment to excellence.
• The inflation and compression of grades obscured vital distinctions in performance.
• The policy brought grading practices into line with the College’s legislated standards.
• Inflated grades undermine our credibility and reputation.
• Disparity in grades between different departments penalizes students majoring in lower-grading fields and can give students misleading information about their abilities and achievements.

What has been the effect of the policy in the four years it has been in effect?

• The average grade at the college went from 3.4 to 3.3.
• All of the change was due to redistribution in the grades from B and above. There was no increase in the percentage of grades below B.
• The great majority of faculty think that the policy has reduced the problems of obscuring distinctions, grades inconsistent with legislation, and undermining our credibility and reputation.
• Students continue to be admitted to graduate and professional schools, and find jobs at least as successfully as before the policy went into effect. There is some indication that acceptances to some programs have increased.

Does the policy mean that students who deserve A’s can’t get them?

• No, CCI specifically chose not to adopt the Princeton policy, which limits the number of A’s in each class.
• There is no requirement to grade on a “curve.” 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+.
• Even with the policy in effect, 40% of grades given are A or A-.
• Students should get the grades they deserve.

Are there exceptions to the B+ average?

• Yes. Courses with fewer than 10 students are not bound by this rule.
• 300-level courses are not included under the B+ rule.

What about an exceptional class?

• Faculty may submit an explanation, via an online form,  to CCI. The expectation is that exceptional classes will be encountered only rarely.

What about courses with many credit/non enrollments or late withdrawals?

• Faculty should submit letter grades for credit/no credit students, which will be included in the calculated class average. These grades are converted to CR or NCR for the student’s record.
• Faculty may submit a form to the CCI that includes the estimated grades for those students who withdrew late from the class and indicates the grade average in the class if these grades were included.

 Aren’t Wellesley students at a disadvantage compared to students from other colleges?

• There is no evidence that the new policy has harmed acceptance rates to graduate/professional schools or top-level jobs.
• An explanation of our grading policy is included with all transcripts.

What grading information do we share within the community and outside?

• Department chairs receive section-by-section averages each semester.
• An explanation of the policy is included with all transcripts.
• We do not calculate or release averages for any graduating class.

How is the policy monitored and evaluated?

• The curriculum committee (CCI) collects data on grading.
• The chair of CCI reports each semester to Academic Council. The report includes 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.

What other oversight occurs?

• The dean of the college and chair of CCI will monitor courses and consult with departments and individuals when there are concerns.
• 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
  

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