Full Breakdown
Harvard University Implements Grade Reduction to Combat Inflation
2/2/2026, 11:11:09 PM
Decline in A Grades
Harvard University has reported a significant reduction in the number of A grades awarded to students, with the percentage dropping from 60.2% in the previous academic year to 53.4% in the fall semester of 2025. This change follows a concerted effort by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) to address concerns regarding grade inflation, which has been a growing issue over the past two decades. The initiative was highlighted in an email from Amanda Claybaugh, the dean of Undergraduate Education, who noted that the decline in A grades is a response to a 25-page report released in October 2025. This report indicated that over 60% of grades awarded to undergraduates were A's, a stark increase from only a quarter of grades two decades ago.
Background on Grade Inflation
Grade inflation at Harvard has been a topic of concern, particularly since it began to escalate in the late 2010s and surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Claybaugh's report emphasized that the current grading system is "too compressed and too inflated," undermining the academic mission of the institution. The dean expressed that the inconsistency in grading has been observed by students and acknowledged by faculty members.
Faculty Response and Concerns
In her communication to faculty, Claybaugh reassured instructors that the reduction in A grades would not negatively impact their teaching evaluations, known as "Q reports." She acknowledged that some faculty members had reported lower Q scores due to the stricter grading policies but emphasized that evaluations would consider the difficulty of courses alongside median grades. Claybaugh stated, "I know this change wasn’t easy," and expressed appreciation for faculty efforts to restore academic rigor.
Broader Implications and Future Changes
The reduction in A grades at Harvard is part of a broader campaign to enhance academic standards, which may include proposals to introduce an A+ grade to better differentiate exceptional students. This initiative has garnered praise from various stakeholders, including faculty members who have tightened their grading practices. However, critics argue that grade inflation is a national phenomenon that devalues academic achievements and makes it challenging for outstanding students to be recognized.
Official Statements
James Chisholm, director of media relations for Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, stated that the grading adjustments are a faculty-driven effort to address concerns about grading practices. He noted that any recommendations for changes to grading policies would be presented by a faculty committee and subsequently voted on by the FAS faculty.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the overall trend indicates a decrease in A grades, some sources suggest that more than half of the grades awarded are still A's, raising questions about the effectiveness of the measures taken. Additionally, there is a lack of clarity regarding the specific impact of these changes on student performance and overall academic culture at Harvard.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Our grading is too compressed and too inflated, as nearly all faculty recognize; it is also too inconsistent, as students have observed.” — Amanda Claybaugh, Dean of Undergraduate Education
- “Some of you report that your Q scores went down, and you worry about the effect this might have on reviews or enrollments.” — Amanda Claybaugh, Dean of Undergraduate Education
- “The work around grading is happening, entirely, within the FAS — this is a faculty-driven effort to address faculty concerns around grading, and it’ll be a faculty committee that ultimately presents recommendations on changes to current grading policies,” — James Chisholm, Director of Media Relations, Harvard FAS
