Harvard University Sees Decline in A Grades

A report from the student newspaper indicates that Harvard University professors issued significantly fewer A grades last semester. The Harvard Crimson noted that the university asked faculty to counteract grade inflation, resulting in nearly a 7% reduction in A grades awarded.

Dean of Undergraduate Education Amanda Claybaugh communicated this change in an email, explaining that the percentage of A grades has dropped from 60.2% during the 2024-2025 academic year to 53.4% in the fall.

This shift in grading is part of an ongoing conversation about academic standards. Claybaugh had previously expressed concerns about how grade inflation was, perhaps, undermining the important function of grading itself. Last October, she released a statement highlighting a study that revealed over 60% of undergraduate grades were As, a stark contrast to just a quarter two decades ago.

Grade inflation began to rise in the late 2010s, peaked during the pandemic, and is now stabilizing, according to the report. Claybaugh remarked that grading has become too “compressed and exaggerated,” indicating that, as students have noted, it lacks consistency. She emphasized that the current system is failing to fulfill its academic purpose.

In a recent email, Claibaugh reassured faculty that a decrease in A grades would not negatively influence their teaching evaluations, commonly known as Q reports. “We understand this change has not been easy,” she said, acknowledging that some faculty members were experiencing lower Q-scores. Still, she reassured them that evaluations will consider the overall rigor of courses.

James Chisholm, Director of Media Relations for Harvard, commented that the grading discussions are being led by faculty. The committee will ultimately make recommendations regarding any changes to grading policies, which will then be put to a vote within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.