Pomona- absurd grade inflation?

[Anonymous]

At Pomona, the traditional system of grading is increasingly recognized as a relic of white, colonial dominance—a tool that has historically reinforced the power structures of the elite while marginalizing students from less privileged backgrounds. Grades, with their roots in meritocratic ideals, often serve to perpetuate inequities by rewarding those who already benefit from systemic advantages and penalizing those whose life circumstances may not align with rigid academic expectations. By envisioning a future where everyone receives an A, Pomona seeks to dismantle the colonizers’ shackles, rejecting the tyranny of standardized assessments and embracing a radical model of educational equity. This approach is not about lowering standards, but about affirming the inherent worth and potential of every student, regardless of their background—a bold act of resistance against the oppressive legacy of the grading system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At Pomona, the traditional system of grading is increasingly recognized as a relic of white, colonial dominance—a tool that has historically reinforced the power structures of the elite while marginalizing students from less privileged backgrounds. Grades, with their roots in meritocratic ideals, often serve to perpetuate inequities by rewarding those who already benefit from systemic advantages and penalizing those whose life circumstances may not align with rigid academic expectations. By envisioning a future where everyone receives an A, Pomona seeks to dismantle the colonizers’ shackles, rejecting the tyranny of standardized assessments and embracing a radical model of educational equity. This approach is not about lowering standards, but about affirming the inherent worth and potential of every student, regardless of their background—a bold act of resistance against the oppressive legacy of the grading system.

What is your basis for this? And wouldn’t a system like Brown where you can pass/fail be more inline with what you’re spouting. And for the original OP - employers don’t have a problem with pass/fail or satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading so why would they have a problem with those that deserve an A get an A.

[Anonymous]

That was intended to be sarcastic. At least I hope it was. This type of extreme grade inflation is not about lowering standards, it is about erasing them altogether.
I hope that some of the engineering schools still have standards, because I have to drive over bridges every day. Along the same lines, I would like to see some standards for pre-med and med students, because I may need some of those people some day as well.

[Anonymous]

Each semester Pomana publishes what GPA is required to receive the distinction of Pomona College Scholar, which is awarded to the top quarter of students in each class as determined by semester grade point average.

For 2024 it is:

Freshman 4.0
Sophomore 4.0
Junior 4.0
Senior 4.0

So at least 25% of students in each class are getting a 4.0. That is ridiculous grade inflation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That was intended to be sarcastic. At least I hope it was.

Finally. A sensible person on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At Pomona, the traditional system of grading is increasingly recognized as a relic of white, colonial dominance

Grades are, like, so last century, just a sneaky way for the man to keep us all in chains, rewarding the privileged and stomping on our collective glow-up. An A for everyone? That’s not just equity, it’s a whole vibe shift—a radiant, inclusive love-fest where every soul’s brilliance is celebrated without the toxic baggage of “standards.” Keep smashing that oppressive meritocracy, Pomona, you’re giving us LIFE! 🌈✨ #DecolonizeGrades

[Anonymous]

Virtue signaling institution that is just destroying whatever brand it had, but it will continue as long as people are willing to fund the grand experiment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Each semester Pomana publishes what GPA is required to receive the distinction of Pomona College Scholar, which is awarded to the top quarter of students in each class as determined by semester grade point average.

For 2024 it is:

Freshman 4.0
Sophomore 4.0
Junior 4.0
Senior 4.0

So at least 25% of students in each class are getting a 4.0. That is ridiculous grade inflation.

So about 400 kids are 4.0 at a highly selective school? Doesn't seem that ridiculous. Grade distribution doesn't have to be bell shaped.

[Anonymous]

When 25% of the class are on track to be class valedictorian there is something wrong with the grading scale or level of rigor at the institution.

[Anonymous]

Right? I don’t understand some of these responses. The whole point of going to college is to be challenged and exposed to rigor. Why should Pomona and other elite schools continue to spoon feed As when their job is to educate?

The more I hear about Pomona the less I see the point. Going to a utopia where wine flies endlessly, the sun is perpetually shining, and grading is easy? There are cheaper ways to vacation. Some of us care about going much above the high school level and being pushed to our fullest academically - so thank you to Swarthmore, Uchicago, MIT, Davidson, Johns Hopkins, etc who actually care about ensuring their graduates learn something

[Anonymous]

What is Pomona?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Each semester Pomana publishes what GPA is required to receive the distinction of Pomona College Scholar, which is awarded to the top quarter of students in each class as determined by semester grade point average.

For 2024 it is:

Freshman 4.0
Sophomore 4.0
Junior 4.0
Senior 4.0

So at least 25% of students in each class are getting a 4.0. That is ridiculous grade inflation.

Do other schools publish these stats?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Virtue signaling institution that is just destroying whatever brand it had, but it will continue as long as people are willing to fund the grand experiment.

Lmfao, virtue signaling my bum. The grade distribution at Pomona has been like this for decades. Take your culture warrior bull$hit to some other institution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Right? I don’t understand some of these responses. The whole point of going to college is to be challenged and exposed to rigor. Why should Pomona and other elite schools continue to spoon feed As when their job is to educate?

The more I hear about Pomona the less I see the point. Going to a utopia where wine flies endlessly, the sun is perpetually shining, and grading is easy? There are cheaper ways to vacation. Some of us care about going much above the high school level and being pushed to our fullest academically - so thank you to Swarthmore, Uchicago, MIT, Davidson, Johns Hopkins, etc who actually care about ensuring their graduates learn something

Your concerns are so valid that Pomona has some of the best graduate school admissions in the country and students consistently win massive fellowships! They’re so stupid they become scientists!

[Anonymous]

I trust the professor faculty more than DCUM locals who rage about the “woke mob” to grade the students accurately.