Korean Job Discussion Forums

Kyrei · Joined: 22 Jan 2003

I am curious what other universities have for regulations regarding bell curves, grade quotas and re-enrollment policies. Here is what it is at my school.

In a class that has 30+ student registered:
i) There must be between 15% - 30% of the student with Grade A (90 - 100).
ii) There must be between 30% - 35% of the students with Grade B (80 - 89).
iii) Any student who receives a grade lower than C+ (74 or less) is allowed to re-enrol in the class in subsequent semesters and attempt to get a better grade.

We are clearly and directly told NEVER TO TELL STUDENTS THEIR ORIGINAL GRADE. Once the grades are curved to fit the above quota, we must hand in a sheet with "manufactured" values for attendance/assignments/mid-term/final that equal the curved final value. I hate that sort of mathematical gymnastics because it is so completely arbitrary and empty. Still, it has to be done (sigh). Wasting time to fill in empty paperwork is just part of the job.

Even though I have lived here for many, many years, it still surprises me that Koreans do not see the problems inherent in this system. No wonder grades mean nothing and Korean universities have no value outside Korea. The system is sheeite!

I have half-decided that student who prematurely drop the class and run away because they can' handle things, abandon group members at the mid-term, etc. should be given a C+ that sticks on their GPA and cannot be upgraded. I have asked many students lately and they all say that C+ is the worst grade to be given. What a load of crapola!

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Our backward universities
by Kim Hyung-in, JoongAng Daily (November 30, 2004)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200411/30/200411302215121879900090809081.html

verschiedenes · Joined: 27 Dec 2004 Location: Korea

At least 50% A's.
The rest B's, unless they basically NEVER came to class.
Any student can re-take the class, even if they had an A,
but wanted an A+.

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

Our uni has a bell-curve rule for freshman classes only, and while I HATE this rule, I DO understand some of the reasoning behind it.

Some freshman teachers (myself included) tend to give fairly high grades, while others tend to give very low grades. This system (I guess!) seems to even things out.

While I think that it's unfair to give a student a B+ when they got a 92, I GUESS it's just as unfair to give a student an A+ when they got an 85! Since all teachers have a different style and different expectations of their students, maybe the curve is a good thing (which I tell myself at the end of every semester!!!)

Zark · Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 3:05 pm Post subject:

We have to curve non-English major classes - but can give whatever we please for English major classes.

I don't mind the curve - but I am 100% up front with the students about it from day 1 - and I try to give them a review of their grades right before final examinations.

I like to grade very high when I can - it does tend to relax the classroom a bit and get students a little more focused on using the language rather than being fearful of making errors.

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

The curve is normal in most science and engineering programs in North America.