DFW rate

Definition

The percentage of students receiving D's, F's, or Withdrawing from a course - a metric that makes everyone uncomfortable because high rates could indicate either rigorous standards or terrible teaching, and nobody wants to examine it too closely.

Example Usage

The intro chemistry course has a 40% DFW rate, which the department calls 'maintaining standards' and students call 'a weed-out class.'

Origin

Assessment and retention terminology from educational research

Fun Fact

Institutions increasingly track DFW rates as equity metrics, as they often disproportionately affect first-generation and underrepresented minority students

Source: Educational assessment and retention terminology

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