OK, if you landed on this page intentionally you must

REALLY be interested in this College Stuff...

(or are just a Huge Conspiracy Theorist)

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​Either way...we now have a Soft Spot for You!​​

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So Let's Get To It

Why Are Colleges Doing This?

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*First Off - Please Note:

WE SHOULDN'T BE OFFENDING ANY INDIVIDUAL COLLEGES, NOR ARE WE SAYING THEY'RE BAD. 

They're just working within "the current game" to compete---but it does make our job a bit more difficult.

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OK, with that out of the way.  THE QUESTION:  Why are Professors now publishing THEIR OWN Grading Scales in their course syllabi vs. a standard consistent policy across the whole Institution?  We of course, are referring to the "Percentage Ranges" that determine the letter grade submitted to HQ upon course completion. 

 

Well, to recap----we told you in our "Grading Scales are Important" section

that the answers Colleges are providing are similar in nature to:

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"We Want Our Professors to be Partners in Learning Outcomes"

"There are Many Factors in Determining Student Success"

"We want to let our Instructors apply Standards They Feel Are Appropriate"  

"We feel it's the most Equity-Driven, Democratic, or Inclusive method"​

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​IN REALITY------We are once again back to the "BUTTS-IN-SEATS" Mentality we've mentioned over and over.  THIS IS NOT COMPLICATED...These Colleges are Businesses.  Non-Profit does not mean "Charity", "For the Public Good", and it doesn't even mean NO PROFIT.  ALMOST ALL SCHOOLS have to focus on hitting "Enrollment Goals", "Retention Percentage Goals", or "Meeting Benchmarks"---all ways of saying "Quotas"----which are enormously prevalent in the Higher Ed Business.  It's just reality. 

 

But what does that have to do with the Universities now choosing to not publish "Official Grading Scales"?   Well---it's a little bit of plausible deniability mixed with a whole lot of Business 101.  It takes away their overall "accountability" by gently moving the responsibility elsewhere---to the Professors, Instructors, & the Academic Teams.  Listen, there are several studies on "Grade Inflation" that have been put out, plus remember, I've been there.  These Universities, Colleges, or "Institutes of Higher Learning" understand you need a 3.0 to keep most Automatic Scholarships you've gotten from the State or Your Locale.  Additionally, they know the same is probably true for any recurring Private Scholarships and potentially even some money referred to as "Grants".  But what does all that mean?

 

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If You Lose Those Scholarships---They Usually Lose You!

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In Business, IT IS WAY CHEAPER to keep an existing customer than to find a new one.  These Professors determining the grading scales used in each class are being given "freedom, flexibility, and a partnership in student success".  I get it, it sounds good---just like a lot of things these days.  But I PROMISE YOU, behind the scenes many Professors & Instructors are getting the "Wink-Wink, Nod-Nod" that we have to keep these students (and they need to keep their scholarships). 

Remember, I was there----I've read the Grade-Inflation & Retention studies, and I've watched it in action with our Mentees.  Simply put they're just a regular business trying to keep "customers".  

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And students losing scholarships directly leads to dropouts and transfers---which in

turn hurts retention rates---A KEY METRIC FOR FUNDING, RANKINGS, & REPUTATION

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CollegeDawg gets it.  It makes sense.  But why try to play the "Smoke and Mirrors" game? 

It's just completely unnecessary

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OUR OPINION?  

Honestly, if I was running any College, I'd proudly post the most student friendly Grading Scale Percentage Ranges we showed you on the previous page, and move on (i.e. 10-point scale w/ only PLUSES mixed in). 

Why play games?  We need students & students need degrees.  It's not our problem that's how the game is now played.  We're gonna make you work & learn--just change the measurables on "what means success"--while also making sure you have the "resources available to you" to make it happen.  It's our job to give the Employers what they want---and we'll get it done for them and the student in ANY WAY possible (and legal)!

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Regardless, the overall ambiguity within the industry seems to be the chosen path.

We just have to play the game. 

No problem------we're really good game players.

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​***Now let's get back to our 5 Random Cost Saving Strategies***