Grade Inflation Monitor
Track and analyze grading patterns over time to detect and address grade inflation.
How to Enter Data:
- Enter individual student marks (not averages)
- Each row represents one student grade in a specific course/year
- Include all students from each year for accurate analysis
- You can paste data directly from Excel
| Year | Module/Course | Grade (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | CS101 | 68 |
| 2020 | CS101 | 72 |
| 2021 | CS101 | 71 |
| 2021 | CS101 | 76 |
| 2022 | CS101 | 75 |
| 2022 | CS101 | 79 |
Enter your grade data on the Data Entry tab and click "Analyze Data" to generate a report.
About Grade Inflation
Grade inflation refers to the tendency for academic grades to increase over time without a corresponding increase in academic achievement. This tool helps institutions track and address this phenomenon.
Why Monitor Grade Inflation?
Monitoring grade inflation is crucial for maintaining academic standards and ensuring the credibility of qualifications. When grades inflate over time without corresponding improvements in student performance, it can:
- Reduce the signaling value of high grades to employers and graduate schools
- Create inequities between academic cohorts over time
- Mask actual trends in educational quality and student achievement
- Lead to a compression of grades at the upper end of the scale
The Grade Inflation Monitor helps you identify trends in grading patterns over multiple years:
- Enter grade data including the year, module/course name, and grade percentage
- Click "Analyze Data" to generate statistics and visualizations
- Use filters to analyze specific courses or compare specific years
- Export charts for use in presentations and reports
- Print comprehensive reports for committee meetings
Addressing Grade Inflation
Based on the analysis provided by this tool, institutions can take several approaches to manage grade inflation:
- Implement standardized rubrics and assessment criteria
- Conduct regular calibration exercises for markers
- Establish department-wide grading guidelines
- Employ statistical moderation techniques
- Use external examiners to validate assessment standards