Harvard Faculty Vote on 20% A-Grade Cap as Top Marks Hit 60%
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · May 12
Harvard Faculty Vote on 20% A-Grade Cap as Top Marks Hit 60%
3 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · May 12
Harvard faculty begin voting Tuesday on a proposal to cap A grades in undergraduate courses at 20% of a class plus four additional students.
The measure is Harvard's strongest effort in decades to curb grade inflation after about 60% of grades were A's in the academic year ending in mid-2025.
That A rate was more than double the 2006 level, though it eased to 53% in the fall semester after the university urged professors to grade more strictly.
The debate has drawn added scrutiny because grade inflation has also become part of the White House's broader push to reshape higher education.
Will capping A grades at Harvard cure its 'culture of perfection,' or will it just ignite a more ruthless academic hunger games?
A new study links easy A's to lower lifetime pay. Could Harvard's grade reform ironically make its graduates wealthier?
Harvard’s 20% A-Grade Cap: The Debate, Data, and Stakes Behind the 2026 Grade Inflation Reform
Overview
Harvard College's proposed grade reform, released in February 2026, has sparked widespread debate across campus and the Ivy League. As the Faculty of Arts and Sciences prepares for a crucial vote, administrators have engaged in extensive deliberation, including town hall meetings to gather feedback from students and faculty. The reform aims to address grade inflation by restoring the value of the 'A' grade and ensuring fairer academic standards. This process highlights Harvard's commitment to involving the community in major decisions and reflects broader concerns about grading practices in higher education.