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ERIC Number: ED349318
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1991-Apr
Pages: 11
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Grade Inflation and Student Ratings: A Closer Look.
Franklin, Jennifer; And Others
Although many sources have discounted the likelihood of grade inflation resulting from instructors trying to "buy" better student ratings of instruction, many faculty members still believe that there is widespread manipulation of grades. This study involving 28,629 undergraduates over a 6-year period found no relationship between frequency of evaluation and 2 indices of grade inflation: average end of term grades and student ratings of course workload. Participation levels evaluated ranged from fewer than 500 courses per quarter to over 1,300. Student ratings of course difficulty tended to be higher for more frequently evaluated instructors. No differences in grading patterns over the 6-year study period for instructors were observed for changes in evaluation contingencies such as whether ratings were voluntary and confidential or mandatory and published. Class size proved to be an important predictor both of ratings of instructor effectiveness and end of term grades. Six tables present study data, and a 20-item list of references is included. (Author/SLD)
Publication Type: Reports - Research; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A