More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Pupils in Kent who should have been sitting exams over the summer will not be able to question the grades they are given by teachers, a new document has revealed.
The consultation has been launched by government body Ofqual, the office of qualifications and examinations, and looks into how the new calculated grading system will work now that GCSE, AS and A-level exams have been cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.
With schools closed across the country, pupils are unable to continue their studies and therefore sit the exams.
Instead, they will still receive a calculated grade based on evidence of their likely performance if the tests had gone ahead.
This will be based on teachers' judgements and then sent to the exam board and will take into account previous exam results, tests, homework, coursework and mock exams.
This is being done to make sure students can still progress to the next stage of their lives, for example work or further study, without any disruption.
But the new proposal, released yesterday, is considering banning students from appealing their grades if they think the teacher has marked them unfairly, but instead only if there has been a data error.
The Ofqual document states: "We explain in the consultation why we consider that, in the exceptional circumstances of this summer, appeals should only be allowed on the grounds that the centre made a data error when submitting its information; or similarly, that the exam board made a mistake when calculating, assigning or communicating a grade.
"We explain why we do not believe it would be meaningful or appropriate for students to appeal on the basis of their centre’s judgement of their likely performance in the exams, had they gone ahead, or on their position in the centre’s rank order."
Furthermore, the document adds: "We consider that to provide for a review or appeals process premised on scrutiny of the professional judgements on which a centre’s assessment grades will be determined would be inappropriate, ineffective and unfair in the current exceptional circumstances. Our position is in line with the Secretary of State’s direction to us."
In addition, the proposals suggest that if students are still unhappy, they will have the opportunity to re-sit exams at the start of the new school year.
The consultation continues: "Students who feel that the grade does not reflect their ability or for whom it was not possible to issue a calculated grade, will be able to take exams in the additional exams series which will be scheduled for this autumn or, if they prefer, next summer."
But the report does acknowledge that there might be certain levels of 'bias' when calculating grades.
It states: "That is not to say that there is no risk of some level of unconscious bias in centre assessment grades.
"However, the evidence suggests it will not exceed that which might occur in other forms of assessment, for example when teachers mark nonexam assessments.
"We believe that in the circumstances, centre assessment grades are the most reliable way of ensuring students get the grade they need to progress this year."
The consultation ends on Wednesday, April 29. To read it or comment, visit here.
