Grade inflation is corroding the value of college degrees nationwide and your success in the open market is in jeopardy.

According to a recent study conducted at the California State University of Northridge the grades of CSUN college students have risen 4 to 5% over the years. In 1990 grades of A through B- combined made up 64% of all grades given to students in upper division courses. That figure rose to 68% in 2004. A similar increase of higher grades occurred in lower division courses, with 5% more grades A through B-. These facts were gathered in a study conducted by a special committee appointed by the college's Council of Chairs.

The phenomenon of rising grades is not unique to CSU Northridge, said Kent Kirkton, professor and chair of the Journalism department at CSUN.

"This is a national trend." said Kirkton.

If you think that this is good news and that students are getting smarter you are wrong. SAT scores are not reflecting the growth of GPA's, and professors from many prestigious universities like Princeton and Harvard have stated that these increases are occurring because students who do very good work are receiving excellent grades and students who do average work are receiving very good grades, the value of A's and B's has gone down.

The effects of this inflation become explicitly apparent to you after graduation says Dr. Peter Nwosu. The knowledge based economy of the U.S. is constantly evolving due to global changes and advances in technology, which requires college to prepare you well for the evolving market place, it must make you limber enough to adapt to its changing needs says Dr. Peter Nwosu, chairman of the Council of Chairs at CSUN and member of the special committee on grade inflation. Dr. Nwosu said that students who pass through college with A's and B's are not necessarily attaining the broad range of understanding that their grades seem to symbolize, a resourceful understanding that they need in order to succeed.

"The causes of grade inflation are very complex." said Dr. James Sefton, a professor at CSUN and member of the special committee on grade inflation.

Increased use of scantron exams rather than written exams, increased reliance on part-time faculty and increased tendency of students to complain about grades are only some of the causes according to the grade inflation study mentioned before.

Don't be fooled by your grades, in this evolving free market you'll need to be well rounded.

"Employable skills come and go." says Dr. Nwosu.

You don't want to be the one to go out with them.

Written By Jonathan Bole