Relations between Grade Point Averages and Collegiate Course Grade Distributions

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Many educational institutions establish a uniform grade distribution policy and encourage its general observance, Most schools also establish minimum grade point average (GPA) restrictions for participating in various activities. Unfortunately, these policies are often made independently of each other. In this paper, a mathematical model depicting a relationship between the distributions of course grades and the GPA distribution Ls proposed. To empirically test the proposed model, course grade data were obtained from 837 undergraduates. The predicted and actual GPA distributions were in reasonable agreement. The model may prove useful in those settings where it is desired to predict the effect of proposed classroom grading policy on the GPA distribution prior to the actual implementation of that policy.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: