Petition for plusses and minuses in the UGA grading scale

We, the Undersigned, request that the University of Georgia reform the present grading system to include plusses and minuses in the grading scale for the following reasons:

1) Plusses and minuses more accurately reflect each students performance. By distinguishing between the student who barely manages a certain grade and the one who is securely within the range, you encourage the latter student and reward his or her hard work.

2) Plusses and minuses provide admissions committees a more accurate account of each students strength and weaknesses. At present those students applying for scholarships, fellowships or graduate school are at a disadvantage because their transcript too vaguely reflects the amount of work they have put into the course.

3) Plusses and minuses reduce the tendency to track students into A, B or C categories, categories which dehumanize and ignore the individual students efforts. This individualizing of grades, in turn, reduces students all or nothing panic about their grades and demystifies the process, so that students can have more control over their undergraduate careers.

4) Plusses and minuses reduce grade inflation. By allowing faculty and TAs a more tangible way to distinguish between the conscientious, engaged pupil and the less motivated one, plusses and minuses reduce the need to artificially raise students' grades.