Harvard College Postpones Grading Reform to Fall 2027, Unveils SAT+ Grade in Revised Plan
In a significant policy shift, Harvard College has announced the postponement of its widely debated grading reform to fall 2027 and introduced a new "SAT+" grade. This revision marks a substantial update to the institution's ongoing efforts to address persistent grade inflation, following months of intense discussion among students, faculty, and administrators.
Revised Timeline and Key Changes to the Grading Proposal
The updated plan, announced by Dean of Undergraduate Education Amanda Claybaugh and reported by The Harvard Crimson, introduces three major modifications that will be voted on by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. First, the implementation timeline has been delayed by one year, moving from the originally proposed 2026-27 academic session to fall 2027. A committee appointed by Harvard College Dean David J. Deming will oversee the rollout process to ensure a smooth transition.
Second, the proposal modifies the calculation of the controversial A-grade cap. Instead of applying only to students receiving traditional letter grades, the 20% cap—which allows for four additional A grades per course—will now include all enrolled undergraduates, even those who opt for pass/fail grading. This expansion aims to create a more uniform standard across different grading systems.
Third, the plan introduces a novel "SAT+" grade within the satisfactory/unsatisfactory system. This designation is designed to recognize exceptional performance in pass/fail courses and will be awarded sparingly at the instructor's discretion, providing additional nuance to evaluations that typically offer limited differentiation.
Student Opposition and Faculty Division Over Grading Reforms
The original proposal, introduced in February, faced overwhelming resistance from the student body. A Harvard Undergraduate Association survey revealed that nearly 85% of respondents opposed the policy, prompting organized lobbying efforts ahead of the crucial faculty vote. Students expressed concerns about increased academic pressure and potential impacts on graduate school applications.
Faculty responses have been decidedly mixed, reflecting deep divisions within the academic community. Some instructors have supported the grading cap, arguing that it represents a necessary step to address systemic grade inflation and reduce pressure to award consistently high grades. Others have raised significant concerns about the policy's impact on small, advanced courses and potential infringement on academic autonomy in evaluation processes.
Regulations on SAT+ Grade and Expanded Policy Scope
While the SAT+ grade aims to add sophistication to pass/fail evaluations, its implementation will be tightly regulated. The designation will not factor into internal rankings for honors or prizes, and academic departments cannot require it for course credit fulfillment. Faculty policies are further restricted from treating SAT and SAT+ grades differently beyond transcript notation, ensuring consistent application across departments.
The revised proposal significantly expands the policy's scope to include all Faculty of Arts and Sciences courses with undergraduate enrollment, rather than being limited exclusively to Harvard College courses. This broader application aims to create more consistent grading standards across the university's undergraduate programs.
Broader Concerns About Academic Choices and Institutional Goals
The grading reform has sparked wider concerns about its potential impact on student behavior and academic exploration. Harvard President Alan M. Garber has defended the long-term goals of addressing grade inflation but has cautioned that overly strict grading caps could inadvertently discourage students from enrolling in more challenging courses that might risk their grade point averages.
As the Faculty of Arts and Sciences prepares to vote on the revised proposal, the Harvard community continues to grapple with balancing academic standards, student well-being, and institutional reputation. The delayed implementation to fall 2027 provides additional time for refinement and discussion, though fundamental disagreements about the approach to grading reform persist across campus constituencies.
