Are Private Schools Inflating Grades in Spain?

Spanish Private Schools and Grade Inflation: A Cadena SER Investigation Concerns are rising in Spain regarding potential grade inflation in private and charter schools, impacting university admissions. A recent report by Cadena SER's Hora14 program highlights significant differences in student grades before standardized testing. The investigation reveals a disparity of almost six points between students from private institutions and their public school counterparts in Baccalaureate grades. One teacher interviewed noted, "The students who wanted to study more competitive careers, with higher grades, were more likely to receive inflated grades." However, the gap narrows considerably after the Selectividad exam, reducing by 82%, indicating the exam's role in leveling the playing field. Despite this, the Baccalaureate grade still holds significant weight (60%), potentially disadvantaging public school students in competitive programs. The report concludes by emphasizing the need for greater standardization in grading practices to ensure fairness and equity in the university admissions process. The secretary of Acción Sindical, Ramón Izquierdo, underscores this need, advocating for clearer criteria to prevent grade inflation.