More pitfalls of grading

Max Roosevelt from the NY Times has a piece on the negative consequences of grading in higher education (free subscription req'd). A summary of the pitfalls:

• Grade inflation from high school leads students to think that the default grade is an A, not a C.
• Students achieved grades in high school through a test preparation model, and they think this "magic formula" will translate into good grades in college
• Students equate a grade with effort, as high schools often give, rather than achievement.

For a summary quote, Roosevelt mentioned:

If students developed a genuine interest in their field, grades would take a back seat, and holistic and intrinsically motivated learning could take place.

Or if grades were eliminated altogether...