Grade Inflation: Why Parents Should Look Beyond the Report Card

Here in O’Fallon, and surrounding communities, more students than ever are bringing home strong report cards – but many parents are surprised when reading assessments, math benchmarks, and ACT practice scores reveal gaps that grades didn’t show.

Over the past several years, grade inflation – the trend toward higher grades that don’t necessarily reflect higher learning – has accelerated across the U.S. education system. In 2025, many schools continue to report rising GPAs and higher percentages of A’s and B’s, even as national assessments and college readiness indicators show declines or stagnation.  For parents, this creates a confusing picture: Your child’s report card may look strong, but their actual academic readiness may tell a different story.

In many schools across the country, grading practices have shifted:

• Less weight on homework, or little homework
• More retakes and flexible deadlines
• Participation counted more than mastery
• Pandemic-era grading policies still influencing classrooms

These well-intentioned changes can make grades look better, even when fundamental skills need work.  Why does this matter for our students?  Students with A’s in math will still struggle with pre-algebra or algebra readiness, students with strong reading report-cards have weak comprehension or vocabulary skills, high GPAs don’t match ACT practice test results, and college-bound students are not ready to handle the rigor of college courses, often needing remedial Math or English courses before they can get credit for college courses.  Grade inflation can mask issues until late middle or early high school when the workload ramps up dramatically.  The misalignment between grades and skills often becomes visible too late – when students take standardized tests, hit advanced coursework, or start the college application process.

Here are some of the warning signs your child’s grades may be inflated, and you should look deeper:

• They have strong grades but weak standardized test scores
• They say schoolwork feels “easy”
• They spend little time on homework or studying
• They struggle when work gets more challenging
• They perform poorly on timed assessments
• Completing homework is a struggle
• They have difficulty writing structured essays or solving unfamiliar problems

Report cards tell you what the school wants you to know. Skills assessments tell you what your child truly knows.

Here are some steps parents can take now that can make a real difference:

1. Request more detail than the final grade. Ask teachers what skills your child has mastered, not just how they’re performing day-to-day.

2. Compare grades to standardized or benchmark scores. MAP testing, iReady, or ACT practice scores often tell a more accurate story.

3. Get an outside assessment. Sylvan’s Insight Assessment offers comprehensive, skill-based testing to show exactly where your child stands and give you objective information you will not find anywhere else.

4. Plan early for college readiness. Class 101 can help you understand how your student’s academic profile aligns with their college goals and help them prepare for the upcoming rigor of college, as well as help with the college admission process.  College planning should begin their freshman year!

Our mission is to make sure local students aren’t just “getting good grades”, but rather, gaining the skills, confidence, and preparation they need for long-term success. If you’d like help understanding your child’s true academic readiness, we’d love to talk. We are here to support families in our community every step of their academic journey.