The impact of grade ceilings on student grades and course evaluations: Evidence from a policy change

B-Tier
Journal: Economics of Education Review
Year: 2017
Volume: 56
Issue: C
Pages: 133-140

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper analyzes the effects of a grade ceiling policy on grade distributions and course evaluations. Results show that the effects vary based upon the level of the grade ceiling. A ceiling set at 2.8 decreased overall grade point average (GPA) by reducing the number of As and Bs and increasing the number of lower grades given. This low ceiling also increased the number of withdrawals and significantly lowered course evaluations. A ceiling set at 3.2 decreased overall GPA by reducing the number of As and increasing the number of Bs given, but the effects on course evaluations were smaller in magnitude and insignificant.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:ecoedu:v:56:y:2017:i:c:p:133-140
Journal Field
Education
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-25