All top stories · This edition

Harvard Caps Undergraduate A Grades; Targets Grade Inflation

May 20, 2026

Summary

Harvard University faculty voted to limit the number of A grades awarded to undergraduates, aiming to curb grade inflation despite significant opposition from students, making it more difficult to achieve straight A's.

How coverage differs

Left outlets report Harvard's decision to cap A grades to combat inflation, noting student opposition, while right outlets portray it as a necessary step making A's more difficult.

  • Left: Harvard takes action to curb grade inflation among undergraduates Left-leaning outlets report Harvard University's faculty decision to limit the number of A grades awarded to undergraduates, framing it as a direct effort to tackle grade inflation within the institution. They highlight the significant opposition from students regarding this new policy.
  • Center: University caps A grades despite student backlash over new policy Center outlets report that Harvard University faculty voted to cap the number of A grades for undergraduates, a measure intended to curb grade inflation. They neutrally present the decision and its stated purpose.
  • Right: Earning top grades at elite university now significantly harder for students Right-leaning outlets emphasize that Harvard faculty voted to make it more difficult for undergraduates to earn A's, portraying the move as a necessary step to address grade inflation. They highlight the new cap on the number of A grades awarded.

Coverage by lane

Left

  • Harvard votes to limit A's for undergraduates to tackle grade inflation

Center

  • Harvard Votes to Cap A’s in Effort to Curb Grade Inflation

Right

  • Harvard Votes to Cap Undergrad A Grades - Newsmax
  • Harvard faculty votes to make it more difficult for undergrads to earn A's

More from this edition

  • Former Prosecutor Charged for Leaking Jack Smith Report
  • Jan. 6 Officers Sue Trump to Block $1.8B ‘Anti-Weaponization’ Fund
  • Greenland PM Defies US Envoy: Self-Determination Not Negotiable
  • Reeves sets out UK cost plan: free bus rides, food tariff cuts
  • Online Hate Radicalized San Diego Teen Shooters in Mosque Attack
  • Putin, Xi Deepen Energy Trade Ties at Beijing Summit
  • Trump-backed challengers oust Massie in GOP primary
  • Sinkhole Shuts LaGuardia Runway; Flights Delayed