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Ivy League grade inflation
常春藤联盟分数贬值
Grade expectations
分数期望
An “A” is not what it used to be
A等分数今非昔比，光芒褪色
“WE DO not release statistics on grade-point averages so we can't speak to the accuracy of the information you have.” That was a flack for Yale, but other Ivy League colleges—with the partial exception of Princeton—were equally reluctant to discuss their grading practices with The Economist.
“我们并不发布有关平均绩点的统计数据因此无法回应你所持有的信息的准确性。”这是耶鲁大学的宣传手段，但是其他的常春藤联盟高校，除了普林斯顿大学之外，都不愿与《经济学人》讨论他们的打分详情。
Are they trying to hide something? Perhaps. Stuart Rojstaczer, a critic of grade inflation, has estimated average grades over time by combining dozens of unofficial and official sources. The results are startling (see chart). In 1950, Mr Rojstaczer estimates, Harvard's average grade was a C-plus. An article from 2013 in the Harvard Crimson, a student newspaper, revealed that the median grade had soared to A-minus: the most commonly awarded grade is an A. The students may be much cleverer than before: the Ivies are no longer gentlemen's clubs for rich knuckleheads. But most probably, their marks mean less.
他们是不是试图逃避什么？也许是吧！斯科特·罗伊斯塔柴尔这个对分数贬值进行批判的学者通过综合各种非官方和官方资源估计了平均分。结果令人震惊。1950年，罗伊斯塔柴尔估计哈佛的平均分是C+。来自《哈佛深红报》学生报纸的一篇文章透露该校的平均成绩已经遽升至A-；最常见的打分是A。或许现在的学生要比从前的聪明很多，常春藤联盟高校不再是富裕的笨孩子的绅士俱乐部。但更可能的是，他们的分数的含金量不如从前高。
Universities pump up grades because many students like it. Administrators claim that tough grading leads to rivalry and stress for students. But if that is true, why have grades at all? Brilliant students complain that, thanks to grade inflation, little distinguishes them from their so-so classmates. Employers agree. When so many students get As, it is hard to figure out who is clever and who is not.
高校提高分数是因为许多学生喜欢高分数。管理者声称严格的打分制会激化学生们的竞争意识会增加他们的压力。但是倘若这一假设属实，那我们干嘛还要分数？成绩优异的学生抱怨感谢分数贬值，他们不再能够在那些资质平平的学生中脱颖而出。招聘方也同意这种说法。当所有的学生都拿A时，实在是难以区分谁更聪明。
