- New models of governance
governance of academia has seen corporate models replacing traditional orientations: new emphasis on efficiency, service provision, accountability, rather than intellectual rigor
- Elite institutions
self-reinforcing sense of superiority at top tier institutions leads to grade inflation; others institutions follow lead of elite colleges
- Funding
increased emphasis on accountability leads to greater emphasis on admissions, retention, graduation rates; which in turn places pressure on institutions not to scare students away with too high standards
| - Student evaluations
the implications of student evaluations for pressure on instructors is obvious; in 1973 only 30% of institutions used student evaluations; today they are essentially universal
- Instructor workload
publish or perish environment, larger classes leads to workload pressures; easier to give high grades since low grades require more marker comments, effort advising students, etc.
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