Falling Stars

Under the Senior Executive Service pay-for-performance system, the Office of Personnel Management demands that agency rating programs make "meaningful distinctions" among rating levels before it will certify them. As a result, the percentage of execs receiving top marks has fallen.

Percentage of All Senior Executives Receiving Top-Level Ratings
2001 83.7%
2002 74.6
2003 74.5
2004 59.4

Source: Office of Personnel Management

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