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dpa
London
Britain’s education secretary has unveiled how pupils’ results will be calculated this summer after previously announcing all exams would be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Gavin Williamson told lawmakers in the British parliament on Thursday that grades of qualifications taken by 15 and 16-year-olds, known as GCSEs, and A Levels, taken by 17 and 18-year-olds, would be determined by teachers who can use coursework, in-class tests and mock exams to assess them.
Grades will also be given earlier in August to give students time to appeal them if necessary.
It comes after a fiasco last summer where students were given grades based on an algorithm which calculated their results after examinations were unable to be held in person.
Hundreds of thousands of students received results which were far worse than their predicted grades and ended up losing their places at college and university. Universities offer places ahead of exams based on predicted grades and dependent on students achieving them.
Protests were undertaken and Williamson was forced to withdraw the scheme, instead giving students grades based on the grades predicted in advance by their teachers.
On Thursday, Williamson said “no algorithm” will be used for grades this summer.
“This year’s students will receive grades determined by their teachers, with assessments covering what they were taught and not what they have missed,” Williamson said. “Teachers have a good understanding of their students’ performance and how they compare to other students this year and from those of previous years.” He added that exam boards would give teachers grade descriptions so that teachers could make sure their assessments are “fair” and “consistent.”
Williamson’s announcement affects pupils in England, however education ministers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland previously announced similar measures with teachers grading pupils.
London
Britain’s education secretary has unveiled how pupils’ results will be calculated this summer after previously announcing all exams would be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Gavin Williamson told lawmakers in the British parliament on Thursday that grades of qualifications taken by 15 and 16-year-olds, known as GCSEs, and A Levels, taken by 17 and 18-year-olds, would be determined by teachers who can use coursework, in-class tests and mock exams to assess them.
Grades will also be given earlier in August to give students time to appeal them if necessary.
It comes after a fiasco last summer where students were given grades based on an algorithm which calculated their results after examinations were unable to be held in person.
Hundreds of thousands of students received results which were far worse than their predicted grades and ended up losing their places at college and university. Universities offer places ahead of exams based on predicted grades and dependent on students achieving them.
Protests were undertaken and Williamson was forced to withdraw the scheme, instead giving students grades based on the grades predicted in advance by their teachers.
On Thursday, Williamson said “no algorithm” will be used for grades this summer.
“This year’s students will receive grades determined by their teachers, with assessments covering what they were taught and not what they have missed,” Williamson said. “Teachers have a good understanding of their students’ performance and how they compare to other students this year and from those of previous years.” He added that exam boards would give teachers grade descriptions so that teachers could make sure their assessments are “fair” and “consistent.”
Williamson’s announcement affects pupils in England, however education ministers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland previously announced similar measures with teachers grading pupils.
