Letters to the editor

Grading practices score poorly

Thank you for raising the issue of grading practices in the
article “The learning curve” (News, Oct. 29) and the
Oct. 30 editorial, “Fair grading should be a top
priority.” This is an important start to what I hope will be
an honest assessment of a real problem on campus.

I agree with the editorial: Fair grading should be a top
priority ““ but for many students, I don’t think it
is.

I can understand that grading on a curve isn’t appropriate
for every class, but there’s a problem when 90 percent of the
class gets an A. Getting an A should require more than just
skimming the reader and lecture notes. Are we really saying that
once you get in to UCLA, you’re guaranteed to graduate?

Graduate schools at some point will realize that many UCLA
graduates have received easy As, and this will soften the overall
value of a UCLA degree for all graduates. 

The North Campus versus South Campus grading inequity is another
issue that should be addressed. It’s not fair that
math/science students receive lower grades within their majors than
liberal arts students. 

I realize it’s easier for South Campus professors to
maintain a rigorous, objective standard. However, just because the
quality of work for liberal arts classes is less objective
doesn’t mean that it must necessarily result in grade
inflation. These departments will need to set the tone and hold
their professors accountable.

Sadly, I saw this problem nearly 20 years ago while a student at
UCLA ““ I just thought that we would’ve learned
something since then.

Scott MacKnight

UCLA alumnus