"It does not mean that standards have dropped/slipped. It could mean that exams or other methods of assessment have been more favourable to candidates,"
Don't be absurd shaw. If you want to make ridiculous statements like the above let's be having some proof(as you are known to say)
As a well educated scientist you should not have to be told that to back up a theory some sort of proof needs to be shown, otherwise it is merely meaningless words.
Call yourself a scientist/teacher/botanist!-do you really know what you are?Can't be much of a scientist if you cannot puzzle out how to construct a link, and even boast about it.(The instructions I always considered idiot proof-but for you I suppose I must make an exception.