Harvard Faculty to Vote on Proposal to Limit A Grades in Courses
Harvard University faculty are preparing to vote on a proposal aimed at addressing grade inflation by capping the number of A grades awarded in each course. The proposal, initially reported by the Harvard Crimson, suggests limiting A grades to 20% of students per course, with an allowance for four additional A grades. It also introduces a new 'average percentile rank' system based on raw scores rather than GPA for determining honors and awards. The policy, if approved, would be implemented in fall 2027. The proposal has sparked debate among students and faculty, with some students expressing concerns that it could increase stress and competition. Faculty opinions are mixed, with some supporting the initiative to curb grade inflation, while others worry it might discourage enrollment in challenging courses and impact faculty autonomy.