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Conceptualizing grade inflation

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  • Tyner, Adam
  • Gershenson, Seth

Abstract

Evidence of grade inflation in U.S. high schools is often misinterpreted due to confusion about how grade inflation is, or should be, defined. This note reduces the confusion by introducing a typology of grade inflation and discussing the implications of each type. We then provide empirical examples of each type of grade inflation using transcript and test-score data from Algebra I classes in North Carolina over a recent ten-year period. Year-specific (static) grade inflation has been, and remains, higher in schools serving relatively disadvantaged student populations; however, differential changes over the past ten years (what we term dynamic grade inflation) have significantly narrowed the socioeconomic gap in static grade inflation.

Suggested Citation

  • Tyner, Adam & Gershenson, Seth, 2020. "Conceptualizing grade inflation," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:78:y:2020:i:c:s0272775720305239
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2020.102037
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lex Borghans & Bart Golsteyn & James J. Heckman & John Eric Humphries, 2016. "What Grades and Achievement Tests Measure," Working Papers 2016-022, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.
    2. Seth Gershenson & Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach, 2016. "Linking Teacher Quality, Student Attendance, and Student Achievement," Education Finance and Policy, MIT Press, vol. 11(2), pages 125-149, Spring.
    3. George A. Akerlof, 1970. "The Market for "Lemons": Quality Uncertainty and the Market Mechanism," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 84(3), pages 488-500.
    4. Xavier Jaravel, 2019. "The Unequal Gains from Product Innovations: Evidence from the U.S. Retail Sector," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 134(2), pages 715-783.
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    Cited by:

    1. Seth Gershenson & Stephen B. Holt & Adam Tyner, 2024. "Making the grade: The effect of teacher grading standards on student outcomes," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 42(2), pages 305-318, April.
    2. Jehiel, Philippe & Leduc, Mathieu V., 2024. "Can affirmative action policies be inefficiently persistent?," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Grade inflation; Achievement gaps; Grading standards;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education

    Statistics

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