常春藤聯盟分數貶值

 Ivy League grade inflation

常春藤聯盟分數貶值

Grade expectations

分數期望

An “A” is not what it used to be

A等分數今非昔比，光芒褪色

“WE DO not release statistics on grade-point averages so we can't speak to the accuracy of the information you have.” That was a flack for Yale, but other Ivy League colleges—with the partial exception of Princeton—were equally reluctant to discuss their grading practices with The Economist.

“我們並不發佈有關平均績點的統計資料因此無法回應你所持有的資訊的準確性。”這是耶魯大學的宣傳手段，但是其他的常春藤聯盟高校，除了普林斯頓大學之外，都不願與《經濟學人》討論他們的打分詳情。

Are they trying to hide something? Perhaps. Stuart Rojstaczer, a critic of grade inflation, has estimate target=_blank class="infotextkey">estimated average grades over time by combining dozens of unofficial and official sources. The results are startling (see chart). In 1950, Mr Rojstaczer estimate target=_blank class="infotextkey">estimates, Harvard's average grade was a C-plus. An article from 2013 in the Harvard Crimson, a student newspaper, revealed that the median grade had soared to A-minus: the most commonly awarded grade is an A. The students may be much cleverer than before: the Ivies are no longer gentlemen's clubs for rich knuckleheads. But most probably, their marks mean less.

他們是不是試圖逃避什麼？也許是吧！斯科特·羅伊斯塔柴爾這個對分數貶值進行批判的學者通過綜合各種非官方和官方資源估計了平均分。結果令人震驚。1950年，羅伊斯塔柴爾估計哈佛的平均分是C+。來自《哈佛深紅報》學生報紙的一篇文章透露該校的平均成績已經遽升至A-；最常見的打分是A。或許現在的學生要比從前的聰明很多，常春藤聯盟高校不再是富裕的笨孩子的紳士俱樂部。但更可能的是，他們的分數的含金量不如從前高。

Universities pump up grades because many students like it. Administrators claim that tough grading leads to rivalry and stress for students. But if that is true, why have grades at all? Brilliant students complain that, thanks to grade inflation, little distinguishes them from their so-so classmates. Employers agree. When so many students get As, it is hard to figure out who is clever and who is not.

高校提高分數是因為許多學生喜歡高分數。管理者聲稱嚴格的打分制會激化學生們的競爭意識會增加他們的壓力。但是倘若這一假設屬實，那我們幹嘛還要分數？成績優異的學生抱怨感謝分數貶值，他們不再能夠在那些資質平平的學生中脫穎而出。招聘方也同意這種說法。當所有的學生都拿A時，實在是難以區分誰更聰明。