Grades vs. Growth? What Are We Really Measuring?

When was the last time you weren’t asked to rate something? 

Whether it’s a five-star review of a restaurant or a ranking for a vacuum cleaner, grading has taken over how we evaluate the world. And yet, when it comes to education, grades—those cornerstones of classrooms everywhere—might not be giving us the clarity we think they do.

At best, grades are said to motivate students, distinguish achievement, and communicate outcomes. But do they really? Many students know how to game the system by choosing professors who grade lightly, cramming instead of mastering, or even using online shortcuts for essays. Meanwhile, a single grade cannot capture nuance. What did a student actually learn? What did they struggle with? What inspired them?

More importantly, grades put limits on learning. Once you’ve earned an “A,” where’s the incentive to keep digging deeper? Grades are a finish line, not a launch pad. And when a “B” is seen as a failure to be protested, what does that do for a student’s resilience or willingness to take risks?

By eliminating traditional grades, students are freed up to focus on real mastery,not just checking boxes. Narrative evaluations (such as those used at New College of Florida) are designed to highlight a student’s progress, show where they need to grow, and challenge them to keep exploring. It isn’t about grades; it is about learning how to think, argue, create, and solve real-world problems.

Join us for a groundbreaking live recording of “The Five Disruptive Principles of Liberal Arts,” an inspiring exploration of the core values that define an exceptional liberal arts education presented jointly by AltLiberalArts and the Novo Collegian Alliance. Celebrate the power of individual curiosity, responsibility, and intellectual freedom in creating a meaningful liberal arts education.