Harvard faculty proposes new cap on A grades to combat grade inflation

A new proposal from Harvard University faculty calls for the school to cap the number of A grades awarded to students as part of a broader effort to curb grade inflation.

The Harvard Crimson, the university’s student newspaper, reported that “A university committee has proposed a radical overhaul of Harvard College’s grading that would significantly limit A grades and introduce a new internal grading system – changes that could roughly halve the percentage of A’s currently awarded to undergraduates.”

The 19-page proposal, released Friday, recommends capping A grades at 20 percent for each class, with instructors allowed to award up to four additional A’s beyond the cap.

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Some Harvard University professors are calling for the school to cap the number of A grades awarded to students in an effort to combat grade inflation. (AP Cortizas Jr./Getty Images)

If approved, the proposal would take effect in the 2026-2027 school year and would also implement internal “average percentile ranking” standards for deciding honors and awards.

The Crimson said the change is “a change aimed at countering what the committee described as a grading system that no longer meaningfully distinguishes student performance.”

The Harvard Crimson noted that the proposal followed a report from Amanda Claybaugh, dean of undergraduate education, in October, which found that more than 60% of marks Harvard undergraduates were receiving A’s, compared to just a quarter of the grades 20 years ago.

The October report found that grade inflation began rising in the late 2010s, with a sharp rise during the COVID-19 pandemic, and is now stabilizing.

Claybaugh wrote“Our grades are too compressed and too inflated, as almost all professors admit; they are also too inconsistent, as students have observed.” She added that “more importantly, our grading no longer serves its primary functions and undermines our academic mission.”

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If the proposal is accepted, instructors would be allowed to award up to four additional A’s above the cap. (iStock)

The Harvard Crimson reported that Stuart Shieber, an alumnus who chairs the faculty committee, said that about 60 percent of courses currently comply with the proposed cap, and that instructors can opt out of the cap, but must then only grade courses as satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

The committee wrote: “While any changes in grading policies may raise concerns about fostering a competitive culture, we believe these recommendations are critical steps toward the College’s goal of refocusing academics, restoring confidence in the College’s grading system, and better aligning incentives with educational goals.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to Harvard University for comment.

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The October report found that grade inflation began rising in the late 2010s and rose sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Phil Long, file)

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