Factors Related to the Likelihood of Grade Inflation at Community Colleges

• In Event: 60.084 - Roundtable Session 20
  In Roundtable Session: 60.084-13 - Teaching and Learning in Community Colleges

Abstract

Studies have documented a trend of higher grades awarded by postsecondary institutions in both the United States and Canada over the last two decades. Grade inflation in higher education is a potentially costly problem for a variety of reasons, but little empirical research about the causes of grade inflation has been conducted. This study investigated multiple potential factors related to the likelihood of grade inflation by faculty members at community colleges. Factors included perceptions of student evaluations of teaching, perceptions of job security, perceptions of student complaints, experience with grading practices, perceptions of student nuisance, and instructors’ empathy with students. Additionally, the possibility that factors related to the likelihood of grade inflation influence adjunct and full-time instructors differently was tested.

Authors

• Steven Heulett, Haywood Community College

• Meagan Karvonen, The University of Kansas