Study Documents College Grade Inflation Over Time

Interesting recent study noted on the NY Times Economix blog in which two well-known education researchers "collected historical data on letter grades awarded by more than 200 four-year colleges and universities" and found that "the share of A grades awarded has skyrocketed over the years."

http://scienceblogs.com/isisthescientist/grade%20inflation.bmp
According to the authors, "private colleges and universities are by far the biggest offenders on grade inflation, even when you compare private schools to equally selective public schools."

More evidence of our society's growing desire to make everyone feel like a winner. So, when you're hiring or otherwise evaluating talent, keep in mind the diminishing marginal value of an "A", especially from private universities (full disclosure: so says a proud scholarship student from two of the largest state schools in the US!)