c/us_news · by liquorice@lemmy.world · 18d

Major college to drop grades, citing mental health concerns

https://www.al.com/news/2026/08/major-college-to-drop-grades-citing-mental-health-concerns.html

3 points · 4 comments · view on lemmy.world

4 Comments

homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 18d

Freshmen only, clearly explained.

MLive.com reports the University of Michigan announced its College of Literature, Science and the Arts will change transcripts to show pass/no credit instead of letter grades for incoming freshmen beginning in fall 2027.

According to the school’s website, LSA students will still receive grades and instructor feedback in every course, but final grades will not be recorded on external transcripts and will not be reflected in their GPAs. The college said it’s been working with faculty and staff to design the pilot program, officially known as “Grade Covering.”

“Helping all students establish early momentum has been recognized as the most important element in U-M’s campus-wide Student Success Initiative,” a description of the program says. “We believe that covering grades will help students start strong and curb the mental health crisis unfolding among college-aged individuals.”

I like it.

OccamsRazer@lemmy.world · -1 pts · 18d (2 replies)

What is the point of college? This doesn't seem like it accomplishes it...

BradleyUffner@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 17d (1 reply)

To learn. A letter grade has very little too do with actual learning.

OccamsRazer@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 16d

Yeah but it's the only currency we have to reward level of learning, and the only metric by which level of learning can be estimated. Also, I've always thought that college was also about preparing kids for the real world, for adult life and living independently. It doesn't help anyone grow up by getting rid of mechanisms that give you feedback on your performance and level of effort. But I actually agree with you that the point is more about learning, I just don't think you will get the result you hope for by getting rid of the only metric for learning success that we have. I suppose if you truly believe in a communist ideal, then grades and all other forms of currency or metrics of performance have to go, but they would have to be replaced by internal motivation, which would mean the extinction of tough, practical degrees in favor of millions of psychology degrees. I would have done psychology instead of engineering if the job outlook were irrelevant.