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Show The Daily Utah Chronicle. Tuesday, Page Four January 25. 2977 The Flaming Feminist by susanne millscps Grade inflation lacks study Grade inflation, its meaning and ramifications, have become the major topic of conversation at major universities across the country, and this University is no exception. A proposal concerning grade inflation is before the University Senate and will be considered (or tabled) at its next meeting in February. Before any discussion can take place, it is necessary to define the term grade inflation. According to a committee Gardner... grade report submitted to inflation means the generally upward trend of average grades awarded (absolute values on the conventional 4.0 maximum scale) in recent years, both locally and Vice-Preside- nt nationally. Grade inflation is that term attached to the phenomenon that indicates high school ACT (college admission tests) scores are declining while average college GPA's are rising. The data given in the committee report is statistically obvious and proves without doubt that grade inflation exists. However, noticeably lacking in the data, and the conclusions of the data, are the human and environmental considerations. It has long been known that nearly anything can be proven with statistics, and if people are to be reduced to numbers for the sake of convenience then the whole practice of grading becomes an ironic exercise in futility. The most important question from the report on grade inflation is whether or not the statistics really prove grades have inflated or, because of many other factors, the overall trend in higher GPA's belongs to an increase in the quality of college classes over high school classes and the learning environment of college being more conducive to achievement Neither of these considerations are present in the grade inflation report currently before the University Senate. It is conceivable, with stresses on higher education becoming continually more prominent that high school curriculae have been adjusted upward while high school standards have been adjusted downward particularly r since many high schools have converted to students and more are programs, opportunities to given enter colleges at younger ages. It follows that those students taking college entrance tests under these circumstances could be lacking in certain concepts as measured by these tests, and therefore, the results are invalid with respect to grade Inflation Aotitic. For instance: the Utah Board of Higher Education recently passed a resolution allowing high school students to tailor their high school units to career goals from high school. and to facilitate early t four-yea- test-ou- Sexist laws reviewed This is not a new concept for secondary schools in this country. If basic systems of high school education are going to change, then standards for ACTs and their evaluations must change corresponcLogly. The second point environmental muences, has not been given sufficient study either, consider that the overall social and cultural environment has changed from 1965 to 1974. For example, the bulk of knowledge that younger students are exposed to must have a cumulative effect cn their powers of cognition. Students are being exposed to social concepts at an earlier age; particular emphasis is placed on electronics because the nation has been relegated to computers; exposure to math and computer language comes at a very young age; literary classics are television fare, not just specials, but regular series. This means that a student is not necessarily motivated by an inner curiosity, but prompted merely by exposure to read classics, old or new. The educational environment not only outside of the school situation, but inside as well has changed At least enough for that possibility to be a major consideration when grades and grade structures are being reviewed We can assume two things: either the two points considered above were relegated to the insignificant hie or they were not considered Students have been asked to give their views and opinions to the executive committee before any action is taken on the bill or the recommendation contained therein which is essentially a system whereby the basic system currently in operation will not be changed but a single numerical value be listed next to the letter grade on the student's transcnpt This number will be the average grade awarded in that particular class. There seems to be no real advantage to this proposal; the obvious disadvantages are in tme and effort necessary to make the changes. II in fact grade inflation really exists, we say, so what? Who is complaining about it? What are the overall effects if the trend continues? None of these questions are adequately answered by the proposal before the Senate. Much more study must be done on the subject of grade inflation, not only by students whose lives will be affected by changes made in grading practices, but by college administrators as well. It doesn't make any sense at all to change things willy-nilland if grade changes take place only on the evidence of the available statistics, they will undoubtedly prove either ineffectual unnecessary, or both. We can only hope that for the time being the bill will be tabled for further study and the senate can get on with more important business. y, 1" V VI IA sX I f V ii M n Chronicle Publishing Co. 1977 David, have you been doing something consciousness? funny with your One mere state has joined the group of states that have ratted the Equal Fights Amendment (ERAX Last week Indiana became the 35 th state to agree that equality should be for all members of this society, male or female Only three states are needed to make the ERA a reality and it seems certain that it will happen. What seems less certain is if Utah will be one of those three states. The Equal Rights Coalition, a group of many organizations working together to get the ERA passed has released a statement that says, in effect it cannot say what the fate of the ERA will be in Utah. It is watching and evaluating the basis, and when it seems political climate on a ERA the to wise up in the Utah legislature, it bring politically will do so. In the meantime, it is throwing its support to a movement to revise and rework sexist laws. This is an outgrowth of the judcial committee's report on sex Discrimination in Utah laws and how they could be changed to be more fair. This is a just cause and a valid process, but it could take years to work through all the backlog of laws currently on the books. Even the judicial committee that wrote the guidelines noted this was just scratching the surface, and such a massive project would take much longer than expected To review each law on an individual basis and get it passed form is a much slower procedure than in a new, laws and getting of the each out picking fell all in one them revised swoop. Utah has been a leader in the past in showing the rest of the country what women's role in society could be. Utah women were the first to vote in 1870. Utah had the first woman elected to a state senate, the first woman mayor in the United States. Brigham Young was one of women's strongest supporters. For instance, he said "We have sisters who. if they had the privilege of studying, would make just as good mathematicians or accountants as any man and we think they ought to have the privilege to study these branches of knowledge that they may develop the powers with which they are endowed We believe that women are useful not only to sweep houses, wash dishes, make beds, or raise babies, but they should stand behind the counter, study law or physics, or become good bookkeepers and be able to do the business in any counting house, and all this to enlarge their sphere of usefulness for the benefit of society at large. In following these things they but answer the design of their creation." Utah women and men have been leaders in movements for equal rights all along. Ratifying the ERA would only be the next logical step in this progression The ERA will provide.back-u- p support for equal pay for equal work, and equal opportunities for work In occupations. It will cause the determination of child custody to be based on the welfare of the child not just the sex of one parent It will allow widowers as well as widows to claim spouses' benefits. It will recognize the economic contributions of the career homemaker and consider her contribution equal to her husband's monetary contribution. However, the ERA will not affect the constitutional right to privacy by making unisex bathrooms mandatory. It will not affect the social relationship between the sexes, since these relationships are completely dependent upon interpersonal reactions between men and women. It will not force women into jobs and children into day care centers. It will not do away with alimony and child support only make them more equitable. It will not destroy the nuclear family or the churches of America, since it affects only legal actions and not private or interpersonal social actions. The ERA is necessary and it is past time that it became law. Without it any changes in discriminatory laws could be withdrawn again with the next flock of politicians. Without it we will have to go through the lengthy and expensive procedure of changing our laws one by one. Now is the time for us all to work together to get the ERA ratified. Find out who your representative is and let her or him know that you want the ERA ratified in Utah. Talk to other people about doing the same thing. And if you know anyone in North Carolina, Nevada, Florida, Illinois, or Oklahoma, encourage them to write their legislators. The ERA has come up again and this time we can't let it go down again. day-to-da- y non-sexi- st non-restrict- SCHRQ NICLE Jonathan Clark Robert Walker Business Manager Andrew Welch Associate Editor Rick Hall News Editor Editor-in-Chi- ef Karen Jerman Managing Editor Gode (rhymes with Tode) Walk the bright side "No news is good news" has several interpretations, none of which are positive. Speaking for myself, I like to hear about nice happenings. The incessant barrage of unpleasantries which continue unabated pouring like streams of sour milk from media outlets, even engulfing people we may encounter with patterns of negative, critical thought All this is depressing. But consider for a moment are we painting an accurate portrait of our personal realities? Is it true that because "good news isn't news," that good news doesn't exist? Consider our Situation i (La Uruverwiy. Sure, there hasn't been much snow this winter. That's nobody's fault especially not the meteorologists'. But though I've heard endless moanings and groanings about the skiing conditions being lousy, hasn't anybody noticed that the weather has been in appearance recently? sunny, mild almost spring-lik- e Sam Sanderson Photography Editor Mile Wright Layout Editor by gode davis true we have smog beclouding the air, ruining many a scenic snapshot but remember even our "brown guck" is a unique phenomenon in its own way. Let's appreciate it! It's so easy to complain, you know. Try living awhile in Tokyo or Los Angeles. Besides, now that the snow on campus is nearly gone, hasn't anyone noticed what lies underneath? Mud! Beautiful mud! Due to its discovery, intriguing opportunities suddenly become viable. Wherein lies the theme to my madness? Well, that's an easy question to answer. In myselt within all of you. It is our choice to remain happy and content when we can. I try to see what is positive around me and to be more open to the benign influences affecting this common writer. You might say I "walk on the bright side." But c'mon. I like company when I Brad Rock Myraa Bagley Why be pessimistic when it isn't necessary? Yes, it is an excellent idea to question and to try to change that which appears unacceptable to one's self. There are times when people should. stand up and be counted" to grumble and complain. But not all the time. There is so much to enjoy first Copy Editor Editorial Editor It is walk. JeffHowrey Entertainment Editor Joseph Brockmeyer Sports Editor Mary Dickson Jean Ingalls Assistant Copy Editors Rick Brough Kirk Johnson Editorial Assistants Nlon. Molbr Fowler, Chrit Dillon. John Geerr, Barbara Barnet, Cindy Tingley, Diane Wood, Mary Corporon, Martha Wickelhaut, Ana Daraban, Gin Fairdouok, Mike Sarenton. Jim Smedley, Nadra Chopyk, Curb Webb, Bryan Garbett. Peg Mclntee, Scarlett Hepworth, DaTid Proctor, Dan Johnson. Ben Ling, Jill CookMilo Pearson. PHOTOGRAPHERS: Michele Burkett, Bob Bauer ADVERTISING MANAGER: Store Schaffer Steve Johnton, tana Sperl Mike Nikloton, Dole AD REPRESENTATIVES: REPORTERS: Scoff Payne, Mark Blaine, Scoff Fleldttod BACKSHOP FOREMAN: Be Nutting BACKSHOP ASSISTANTS: Bon Vorela. Singleton, Peg McEntee. terry Urban, Dion Fotet Brewton, Both DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Rafti Dahglin OFFICE STAFF: Joanell Wllcock, Mike Liddett, Shari Tavey The opinion upniMd on the editorial paget of the Daily Utah Chronicle do not necemearily repretent the view of the ttudentbodyor the University adminittration. Pu blu bed daily daring tall, winter and ipring quarter (not including tett week or the University of Utah. Subtcription: quarter break) by Publication! Council of an All tubtcriptioni $15 a year (including tummer quarter), $5 academic quarter. mutt be prepaid. Two weekt notice for change ofaddre. Forward all tubtcription correspondence to: Subscription Manager, Daily Utah Chronicle, Union Building, Unirenity of Utah. 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