Penn University Considers Response to Grade Inflation as Ivy League Institutions Take Action

In May, faculty at Harvard University voted to limit A grades to approximately 20%. Other peer institutions are forming committees to explore similar initiatives. Although Penn administrators recognize grade inflation as a potential issue, the University has not yet established a formal investigative body or defined a clear policy approach.

Penn President Larry Jameson described the topic as “worthy” for faculty evaluation in an August interview with The Daily Pennsylvanian. He emphasized the importance of assessing students based on their competency, stating, "If you take grade inflation to an extreme, it’s not particularly meaningful.” Jameson noted that while some specialized classes may warrant high grades due to the expertise of enrolled students, a comprehensive look at grading policies is underway, though he confirmed that no final decisions have been made.

A representative from the Provost’s Office mentioned ongoing collaborations with the four undergraduate schools to determine if changes could better support Penn students. This process includes gathering input from various members of the Penn community regarding grading policies.

Jameson previously noted concerns about grade inflation in an October 2025 letter rejecting a White House funding compact, which called for universities to ensure grade integrity. He expressed a willingness to engage with the higher education community on the issue but reiterated that no formal announcements had been made regarding Penn's grading policies nearly a year later.

The Faculty Senate, which represents faculty across the campus and can recommend policy changes, has not yet addressed this matter. Roy Hamilton, Chair of the Faculty Senate and a neurology professor, indicated that several other pressing issues are currently competing for the Executive Committee’s attention, and the lack of discussion on grade inflation should not diminish its significance.

Political science professor Daniel Hopkins traced the emergence of grade inflation back to the Vietnam War era, noting increasing trends, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when faculty aimed to accommodate diverse student challenges. Hopkins remarked that pervasive grade inflation complicates faculty efforts to provide clear feedback on student performance, suggesting that a grading cap, similar to Harvard's, could be effective at Penn.

History professor Brent Cebul identified “structural pressure” on faculty to inflate grades, as non-tenured faculty often rely on favorable student evaluations for job security. He pointed out the significant impact of grading on metrics like enrollment, further complicating the situation for those in contingent positions.

While Harvard has implemented grading reforms, other Ivy League institutions are expected to announce their plans soon. Yale University's committee on Teaching, Learning, and Advising is set to report in November on grade inflation, while Dartmouth College will release progress updates by early 2027 following the formation of its own committee in May. Columbia University is also considering policy adjustments, such as equating A-pluses and A grades in GPA calculations.

Grade inflation discussions have been less prominent at Princeton, Cornell, and Brown universities. Princeton once instituted a nonbinding grading cap but later removed it, while Cornell stopped including median grades on transcripts in 2023, a move intended to curb inflation that may have had the opposite effect. Brown President Christina Paxson expressed that she is not particularly concerned about grade inflation as of March 2023.

Senior reporter Alex Dash covers administration and can be reached at [email protected].