Harvard delays grading reform to 2027, proposes new ‘SAT+’ grade amid campus debate

Harvard College has postponed the rollout of its widely debated grading reform to fall 2027 and introduced a new “SAT+” grade, marking a significant revision to its plan aimed at tackling grade inflation. The announcement was made by Dean of Undergraduate Education Amanda Claybaugh, according to a report by The Harvard Crimson.

The revised proposal, which will be voted on by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, comes after months of intense debate among students, faculty, and administrators. The earlier version, introduced in February, had triggered strong opposition—particularly over a strict cap on A grades.

Timeline, grading cap, and SAT+ addition

The updated plan introduces three major changes. First, implementation has been delayed by a year—from the originally proposed 2026-27 academic session to fall 2027. A committee appointed by Harvard College Dean David J. Deming will oversee the rollout.

Second, the proposal modifies how the A-grade cap is calculated. Instead of applying only to students receiving letter grades, the 20% cap (plus four additional A’s per course) will now include all enrolled undergraduates, even those opting for pass/fail grading.

Third, the plan introduces a new “SAT+” grade within the satisfactory/unsatisfactory system. This designation is intended to recognise exceptional performance in pass/fail courses and will be awarded sparingly at the instructor’s discretion.

Student backlash and divided faculty opinion

The original proposal faced overwhelming resistance from students. A Harvard Undergraduate Association survey found that nearly 85% of respondents opposed the policy, urging collective lobbying ahead of the faculty vote.

Faculty responses, however, have been mixed. Some instructors supported the cap, arguing it could address systemic grade inflation and reduce pressure to award high grades. Others raised concerns about its impact on small, advanced courses and academic autonomy.

Limits on SAT+ and broader policy scope

While the SAT+ grade aims to add nuance to pass/fail evaluation, its use will be tightly regulated. It will not factor into internal rankings for honours or prizes, and academic departments cannot require it for course credit. Faculty policies are also restricted from treating SAT and SAT+ differently beyond transcript notation.

The revised proposal further expands the policy’s scope to include all Faculty of Arts and Sciences courses with undergraduate enrolment, not just Harvard College courses.

Concerns over academic choices

The reform has sparked broader concerns about its potential impact on student behaviour. Harvard President Alan M. Garber has defended the long-term goals of addressing grade inflation but cautioned that strict grading caps could discourage students from enrolling in more challenging courses.

(With inputs from The Harvard Crimson)

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