An analysis of grades made in a required second course in freshmen English in a major university of the Southwest

The purpose of this study was two-fold: (1) to tabulate and analyze the distribution of grades in a regional second course in Freshman English at a large university in the Southwest; and, (2) to determine the degree of relationship between the grades and scores made on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) of the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB). The preponderance of data for this study was derived from the final grade sheets of the individual instructors of the course under consideration. The Counseling and Testing Service of the particular university provided Scholastic Aptitude Test scores for the appropriate random sample of students involved. Tabulations of grades were distinguished on the basis of individual instructors by sections. Contingency coefficients were then computed between these grades and SAT scores. Of the total 1,626 students comprising the sample, 30% received grades of A or B; 29% a grade of C; and 36% a grade of D or F. The contingency coefficients were, without exception quite low.