grade inflation

noun

, Education.

1. the awarding of higher grades than students deserve either to maintain a school's academic reputation or as a result of diminished teacher expectations.
2. a rise in the average grade given to students.

grade inflation

noun

1. an apparently continual increase in numbers of students attaining high examination grades, or the practice of awarding grades in this way

Word History and Origins

Origin of grade inflation¹

First recorded in 1980–85