Students are less engaged in learning and studying less than ever, yet grades continue to rise. This is due to a consumer-based culture in higher education where students pay more for their education and expect good grades. As a result, professors feel compelled to grade easier and water down course content, weakening intellectual rigor and grading standards. Similarly in high schools, taxpayers expect good results for what they pay, and high GPAs are important for college admissions, contributing to grade inflation. Data shows the percentage of high school students receiving A's or A-'s has nearly doubled from 1992 to 2006. For schools to accurately predict performance on standardized tests, grades must reflect mastery of content rather than other factors like effort, conduct, or teachers