Ep 24. Part 1: How Can We Stop Grade Inflation? Ft. Fraser Grant

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Is an 80% average in 2021 worth the same as an 80% average back in 1990? 

I love teaching grade 12's....except when January comes around and university marks starts to get uploaded to universities. 

Grades are such a sensitive subject now. Programs are becoming more competitive, expectations are higher, and more students are applying than ever before. As a result, we have seen grades being inflated over the year. The question is, why is this happening? How did this happen? Is this sustainable? 

Today I bring in my new boss, AKA new Head of School and Deputy Principal of Appleby College, Mr. Fraser Grant. Mr. Grant has been working at Appleby College for 27 years and counting. Over the years, he served primarily as an Economics Teacher but also served in various leadership roles such as the Senior School Director, Assistant House Director, and was as the schools Assistant Head of Academic for the last 12 years. Fraser has his M.Ed from Brock University and Masters in Economics from McMaster. But the  true beauty of this story is Fraser also was a former student at Appleby College back in the good old days and was part of the 1987 graduating class and has now climbed his way to the top as our new Head of School. So in the words of Drake, Mr. Grant indeed did start from the bottom and now he is here!

Today we talk about:

1. Has he seen grade inflation at our school, Appleby College during his tenure?
2. What is causing grades to be inflated in Canada? 
3. With grades creeping up, can this be a good thing if looked through a different lens?
4. How can we equally compare grades and credits when they are clearly not equal across schools?
   • Waterloo Engineering introduced a concept called an "Adjustment Factor" to students grades depending on which school they came from. Some schools are notorious for giving out higher grades. Is this the way to fix grade inflation?

Plus much more! This is part one of a two part conversation. You won't want to miss it!

Articles:

• Waterloo Engineering and the Adjustment Factor Article 

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