That is "ok" as long as the point values are also not dictated. For
example, based on a 100 point scale, requiring that anyone earning 90-100
must receive an A, etc. Administration can set the grade distribution or
the points to receive a certain grade, but not both.
One can take the final distribution of points for the class, rank order
them, and set cut-off points according to the expectations of the
school administration.
Giving an instructor a benchmark distribution of grades to use, such the
example you give below, is based on a norm-referenced evaluation approach.
Saying that anyone who earns 90 points or more should receive an A is a
criterion-referenced evaluation approach. Ya gotta pick one approach and
let students know up-front what to expect.
Regards,
Zane
Zane Berge, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
berge@umbc.edu
www.emoderators.com
On Wed, 9 Aug 2006, Charles Wankel wrote:
> ".in the M.B.A. programs at the University of Chicago and New York
> University's Leonard N. Stern School of Business, online grade-reporting
> systems will not accept an instructor's grades in certain courses if the
> grades exceed school or departmental standards."
>
> From:
http://chronicle.com/free/v52/i49/49b01001.htm
>
>
>
>
> NYU Stern Suggested Grade Distribution
>
>
> Although sections may vary somewhat, the Economics Department suggests a
> grade distribution of
>
>
> A/A-
>
> 20-25%
>
>
> B's
>
> 55-70%
>
>
> C & below
>
> 10-15%
>
> This distribution is intended to make standards comparable across sections,
> as required by the school.
>
> From:
>
>
http://pages.stern.nyu.edu/~nroubini/MACRO3.HTM#grades
>
> and
>
>
http://pages.stern.nyu.edu/~dbackus/dbtsyl98f.pdf
>
>
>
>
>
>