Using the data from the High School and Beyond Transcript Survey for 1980 sophomores who graduated from high school by fall 1982, the course grade distributions are compared for the following major instruction program categories: English, mathematics, social sciences, physical sciences, life sciences, and foreign languages (academic courses); business, home economics, and trade and industry (vocational courses); visual and performing arts and personal and social development courses; and others. Grade distributions are contrasted by geographic region and are related to homework effort, test performance level, and other student characteristics. The results of the study are presented in table format. (DWH)