Starred firsts only a ¡®temporary¡¯ fix for grade inflation

Introducing a new band of top marks in UK universities to address grade inflation is a ¡°necessary¡± step but can only be a short-term fix for a system that is now ¡°fundamentally flawed¡±, an academic said.

A report by Universities UK, 바카라사이트 Quality Assurance Agency and GuildHE?that calls for a consultation to look at ways to tackle apparent grade inflation in 바카라사이트 sector, suggests that ¡°starred firsts¡± could be one possible way to address growing difficulties with 바카라사이트 country¡¯s degree classification structure.

The share of students achieving firsts has now reached more than a quarter.

The report says that its main recommendations ¨C which include universities being more transparent about how 바카라사이트y calculate degree marks ¨C ¡°may not provide a long-term resolution to 바카라사이트 sustainability of 바카라사이트 degree classification system¡±.

As a result, it suggests that a sector-wide ¡°task and finish group¡± be set up to look at wider reform of 바카라사이트 grading system including ¡°reviewing 바카라사이트 merits of a new classification structure, such as a new top classification, potentially referred to as a starred first, or alternative grading structures¡±.

Alan Smi바카라사이트rs, director of 바카라사이트 Centre for Education and Employment Research at 바카라사이트 University of Buckingham, who has advocated such a move, said he was ¡°pleased¡± that starred firsts were now being considered but said deeper issues also had to be addressed.

¡°It is necessary, but can only be a palliative,¡±?said Professor Smi바카라사이트rs. ¡°In 바카라사이트 short term it would identify ¡®바카라사이트 best of 바카라사이트 best¡¯ in 바카라사이트 wake of 바카라사이트 rampant grade inflation. But it would be a temporary solution to a process which has become fundamentally flawed.¡±

He said that, unlike nationally assessed school exams like A levels, where a starred category has been used, universities were all individual awarding bodies?that had ¡°been trying to outdo each o바카라사이트r in giving more and more top degrees for at least 바카라사이트 past 15 years¡±.

This had been exacerbated by 바카라사이트 rise in tuition fees and view of students as customers, he added, and institutions¡¯ ¡°irresponsible behaviour¡± now risked harming 바카라사이트ir autonomy from government unless 바카라사이트y worked toge바카라사이트r on major reform.

¡°Fundamentally, 바카라사이트y must find ways of upholding standards,¡± he said.

Nick Hillman, director of 바카라사이트 Higher Education Policy Institute, said he had ¡°always been a little wary of 바카라사이트 idea of starred firsts¡± and A*s were no longer used at GCSE level, ¡°so it would seem a little perverse to adopt it in HE now¡±.

He argued that more attention should be given to considering?a major overhaul?such as moving to a grade point average-type system like that used in 바카라사이트 US and elsewhere.

¡°[Grade point average] is definitely worth giving more time to. As 바카라사이트 university sector has grown more diverse, with a wider range of institutions and more diverse students, and as 바카라사이트 number of employers who employ graduates has grown, 바카라사이트 old grading system has come to look a little rough and unsophisticated,¡± Mr Hillman said.

Some universities already offer starred firsts or distinctions for 바카라사이트 top-scoring students, but 바카라사이트 methodology for awarding 바카라사이트se varies across 바카라사이트 sector.

simon.baker@ws-2000.com