University of Michigan plans to forgo letter grades for some first-semester freshmen next year

The University of Michigan plans to forgo letter grades for some first-semester freshmen next year, prompting debate over the usefulness and impact of grades. Abbie Everett, senior director of teaching and learning at KnowledgeWorks, joins CBS News to discuss.

University of Michigan Drops First-Semester Grades to ‘Curb Mental Health Crisis’  WSJ

Incoming first-year students will not see letter grades on their transcript.

The University of Michigan will nix letter grades for first-semester freshmen, a policy the school hopes will help students “start strong” and “curb the mental health crisis.” “Our goal is to help first-year students acclimate to the demands of college and allow intrinsic motivations to guide personally meaningful acad

School said it is pivoting away from letter-grading system to ‘curb the mental health crisis’ among college students The University of Michigan will pivot to a pass-or-fail-style grading system, instead of letter grades, for first-semester students in an effort to “curb the mental health crisis unfolding among college-

The university will make first-semester grades pass or fail, to encourage students to explore different classes and lessen fears that “a low grade may have long-term consequences.”

Come fall 2027, official transcripts for first-semester freshmen will record only whether credit was earned

The University of Michigan's new pass-fail grading policy for 2027 freshmen aims to curb the mental health crisis, but a psychotherapist warns it may backfire.