Central Florida Future, Vol. 11 No. 22, February 23, 1979

              Vol. 11
Future
Friday, February 23, 1979
University of
Central Florida
No. 22
If you want an 'A', go to H&FA
by Deane Jordan
staff writer
If you're a C student now-wait 20
years--you may become an A student
through grade inflation.
Since 1968 UCF has had a grade inflation rate of about three-quarters of
one percent per year, or 7.5 percent in
the last decade, according to university
records.
In 1968, 19.2 percent of undergraduate grades in the upper
divisions were A's. By 1977 the percen
tage of A-grades increased to 26.7 percent.
However, the overall grade increase
does not reflect the grade changes in
various disciplines and Colleges. Some
subject areas have had substantial increases in the amount of A's granted
and others have dropped.
In one area,.the Theater Department
has more than doubled the number of
A's given in the past five years, (1972-
1977). In 1972, 26.2 percent'of the upper division grades were A's. The
number of A's by 1977 had increased
to 54.6 percent, with A's and B's accounting for 81.9 percent of the upper
division   grades.   Grade   distributions
for fall 1978 are not yet available.
The Music Department in 1972
reported 48.1 percent of upper division
grades, given were A's, whereas by
1977 that figure increased to 61.1 percent. The combination of A's and B's
accounted for 79.7 percent of grades
given in the upper level music courses
in 1977.
In elementary education the number
of A's given to upper level students in-
Blue Ribbon
Josef Franklin's picture of the sun setting over a,
marsh has been chosen for first place in the Future'$
Focus on Photography contest. He receives a $75
gift certificate for his effort.  Other
shown on page 3.
winners are
Stern: Education should start early
by Deane Jordan
staff writer
"The world is dumb," said Dr.
Aaron Stern, "and when you're dumb
you can be manipulated."
Stern, who lectured before a small
but receptive audience, in the Multi
Purpose Room Wednesday evening,
was critical of contemporary
educational methods, government, big
business, organized religion and.
television.
"I have no need to defend my
thesis," said Stern, "like my colleague
B.F. Skinner." Stern, was critical of
Skinner and the behavioral approach
to "intelligence."
".Intelligence growth begins at the age
of zero and continues until death,"
said Stern. He advocated exposing
children from birth to many elements
that will promote their intellectual
growth, . such as classical music,
dialogue before the.v can talk and no
baby talk. Stern said talking baby
talk to infants was like swearing to
adults. Although criticized for this approach, Stern said that it will not onlv
increase the early emergence of intelligence but interweave with motor
skills and will also enhance the process
He said that by the time a child is seven
he is sufficiently demoralized in regarcis
towards education.
In explaining why he has waged a
quarter-century battle against conven-
Stern, page 5
creased from 31.3 percent in 1972 to
43 percent in 1977, with A's and B's
counting for 78.2 percent of upper
level Elementary Education grades
earned.
The History Department however
gives out less A-grades today than it
did five years ago. In 1972 the percentage of A's granted in the upper .
divisions was 17.1 percent. Today the
rate is 14.5 percent.
Similar_drqps occurred in Business
Administration,   Chemistry,   Physics,
Grades, page 5
Purse thieves
hit students in
computer bldg.
Purse snatchers struck again
Tuesday night bringing the total purse
theft's up to seven in the last three and
a half weeks.
According to investigator Ed
Moloney, the first six purse thefts oc-.
curred at the Computer Center. He
said students leave their purses at the
work station while they go in to use the
computers for a few minutes.
"This gives the thief just enough time
to steal the purse," Moloney said.
Evidently the thief, or thieves, are only
after the money, said the investigator.
"They remove the money and throw
the purse away. The credit cards and
identification are still in the purses
when they are found."
Moloney said Tuesday night's theft
did not occur in the Computer Center
but another building, on campus.
Moloney said he preferred not to reveal
the second building involved.
The campus police ask your
assistance in helping deter crime "on
campus. If you observe a crime or
suspicious person, or have information
about a crime, please call the Univer-
sitv Police, 275-2421.
What A Ham
"Hello, South Pole? Can you hold a
minute while I take this'call from Iran?"
Sounds pretty bizarre doesn't it?'It is an
every day affair for the UCF Radio Club.
See story, page 3. ■
Golden Oldies
There is a guy in Orlando whose golden-
oldies record collection rivals that of Dr.
Demento of WDIZ-FM fame. While he
doesn't have any plans for a radio show,
he still enjoys the pleasures thai record
collecting had given him. See story, page
12.
Home Stand
Both the men and women's basketball
team are gearing up for the Sunshine Stae
Conference Championships which UCF
hosts this weekend. See story, page I 7.