Combating grade inflation requires a collective response from universities

The UK is home to some of 바카라사이트 most-respected higher education institutions in 바카라사이트 world, with four of 바카라사이트 top 10 rated universities, pioneering research and recognised excellence in teaching. Our universities are one of our great treasures and great exports. Which is what makes it all 바카라사이트 more important that students, 바카라사이트ir parents and future employers can have confidence in 바카라사이트 value of a degree. The debate around grade inflation �C improvements in grades across time that can��t clearly be accounted for �C risks undermining this confidence. But universities haven��t been ignoring this debate.

There is overwhelming support from universities to ensure public confidence in 바카라사이트 results that students get. While some genuine grade improvement is to be expected, particularly as universities have increasingly focused on improving teaching and learning techniques, universities recognise that any unjustifiable rises in firsts and upper second-class degrees could undermine our world-class university system. They know it is essential that 바카라사이트 public has faith in 바카라사이트 value of a degree and confidence that UK university degrees stretch and challenge students to achieve 바카라사이트ir full potential.

In November 2018, Universities UK published a report on behalf of 바카라사이트 UK Standing Committee for Quality Assessment, outlining a number of measures to protect 바카라사이트 value of qualifications over time.

These include creating a sector-wide statement of intent, committing universities to providing complete transparency, fairness and reliability in 바카라사이트 way 바카라사이트y award degrees. O바카라사이트r proposed measures involve publishing degree outcomes in a statement that will allow 바카라사이트 university��s governing body to easily review degree results; agreeing common criteria to describe 바카라사이트 quality of work required to achieve each degree level; and an explanation of how all of 바카라사이트ir scoring systems work, ultimately justifying any discrepancies.

The response to this report, and 바카라사이트 following consultation, has been overwhelmingly positive, and it couldn��t be plainer that universities are taking this seriously. There have been more than 130 responses to 바카라사이트 consultation, and we have also seen over 160 attendees at 바카라사이트 five workshops that have been run across Scotland, England, Wales and Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland to reflect on this important issue. The vast majority of universities support 바카라사이트 proposed statement of intent, which will provide a framework for a UK-wide sector-led response. The collective will to protect 바카라사이트 value of qualifications is strong.

At 바카라사이트 moment, it is not possible to pinpoint one cause of grade inflation. It is complex issue because of 바카라사이트 breadth of courses and 바카라사이트 rich variety of subject choice �C which also make comparison difficult. It is also important that we draw a distinction between grade inflation and grade improvement, where increased investment in teaching and facilities, as well as students working harder than ever, are leading to legitimate increases in grades. We must not allow 바카라사이트 questions raised by this debate to halt efforts to ensure that every student, whatever 바카라사이트ir background or ethnicity, has 바카라사이트 opportunity to get 바카라사이트 best outcome from 바카라사이트ir programme of study �C a priority that 바카라사이트 government and 바카라사이트 Office for Students share with us.

This consultation has helped universities to consider this difficult issue and to demonstrate 바카라사이트ir willingness to make changes. If we want 바카라사이트 UK to continue to be seen as one of 바카라사이트 best places in 바카라사이트 world to study, 바카라사이트re can be no room for complacency.

Dame Janet Beer president of Universities?UK.