Just think of the number of students who will go into a deep depression just because they got an AAA- rather than an AAA+. On the flip side, can you go any lower than a FFF-? (I guess 0 is just plain old 0)
Hey, I'm all for it! This certainly makes as much sense as the AP grading scales, in which students can achieve a 4.5 out of a possible 4. How about adopting the primary grade grade system (O-outstanding, S-satisfactory, N-needs to improve) for all levels, K-Ph.D.? Tony Pina School of Education CSU San Bernardino
Although I'm not sure that you were serious about this, my immediate reaction was that this might be a good idea. Then I considered that we would need some indication of failure (even if it is given all too rarely). Of course, an "F" would probably be too harsh. Perhaps a "T" for "Try again." Then I realized that all this would really accomlish is to change the current five-letter grade system to a four-letter system. I suspect that "pass/fail" is the only real answer to grade inflation. And really, what more do you need?
Many (read most) professional license exams are on a pass/fail basis, such as the PE where 70 and above is passing.
Grade inflation means different things to different people. My doc chair gave me a hard time for only getting a 3.72 on my doc until he discovered I neogitated some "B's"up front because of my work. I can live with a B and not have any problem with it. Remember, and I beleve this is from John Bear, What do they call the person who graduates last in medical school? Doctor!
