Downgraded A-level results trigger anger
MORE than four in 10 A-level grades given yesterday were lower than teachers had recommended – some by a massive four grades, and more than 100 by three grades.
The new figures have revealed the huge numbers of A-level students in Wales who had the grades their teacher recommended lowered by examiners.
In total, 12,845 A-level grades were lower than teachers had recommended, compared to 1,255 that were higher than teachers had recommended. Some 16,255 grades were unchanged.
Students still have the ability to request their AS grades from last year are used instead after a last-minute review by Welsh Government on Wednesday.
At AS-level, it was a similar picture, 19,260 grades were lower than teachers had recommended, while only 1,055 were higher. Some 24,545 grades were unchanged.
Qualifications Wales used a controversial “standardisation” process which some head teachers and critics have branded “unfair” to adjust the
Centre Assessed Grade given by teachers.
The algorithm used to arrive at grades used measures including the past performance of schools and school years which heads said put higher-achieving students at historically lower-achieving schools at a disadvantage
Qualifications Wales data shows 11,110 A-level grades were lowered one level, a further 1,555 A-level exams dropped two grades compared to teacher assessments during standardisation, 165 by three grades and 15 by a massive four – meaning some may have plummeted from A* to C, A to D or B to E.
Just over half of exam grades remained the same as teachers’ assessments after the process agreed with exam board WJEC.
In total 53.5% of results remained the same as that calculated by teachers for Centre Assessment Grades (CAGS).
A further 4.1% went up. The algorithm used to standardise results pushed 1,225 exam results up a grade, 25 by two grades and five by three grades.
For AS 43% of exams were downgraded, 54.7% remained the same and 2.4% went up. The percentages add up to 100.1% owing to a rounding-up statistical measure, said Qualifications Wales.
“In accordance with Qualifications Wales’ statistical outputs policy, and to prevent statistical disclosure, figures are rounded. Figures are rounded independently and so may not necessarily add up to the sum,” the regulator said.
AS students have been told they will have the choice whether or not to cash in their AS grades for their final A-level next summer or just use their final A2 grade.
A total 14,340 AS exams fell a grade under the standardisation process, 4,120 by two grades, 765 by three grades and 34 by four. On top of that 24,545 remained unchanged compared to the teacher assessment, 1,030 went up a grade and 25 by two grades. None was pushed up more than two grades.
Across Wales 30,315 A-level exams were graded and 44,855 AS exams.
Even though the grades will now be adjusted so no-one gets lower than their 2019 AS grade for their 2020 A grade, the figures demonstrate the massive variation between how teachers assessed their pupils based on past exams, coursework and mocks, among other measures.
Angry teachers, parents and students yesterday vented their fury over the fiasco, saying a fair system should have been arrived at in the months since exams were cancelled.
One A-level student said: “Like a lot of students have already said, everyone’s been downgraded. I did not even receive my predicted grades of grades from my work. I am heartbroken.”
There was also anger about AS results. Although AS usually count 40% towards the final A-level grade, Education Minister Kirsty Williams has announced students will have the choice whether or not to use them for their final grade next summer or just have that awarded on one final A2 exam.
One furious teacher, who did not want to be identified, said: “A calculation done by my head of dept shows that approx 60% of our A-level predictions were downgraded by the WJEC, so it seems as if the postcode lottery has hit my school.
“I think that the GCSEs will go the same way! It’s a terrible situation for these young people.”
Another teacher, who also cannot be named, said the confusion risked seeing students leave the sixth form.
“AS-level results this year have seen many pupils receive a standardised grade up to three grades lower than their teacher-predicted grade.
“For instance, a pupil assessed by the school as A in Geography as a result of performance so far receiving a D from the WJEC and an assessment of C in Psychology resulting in a WJEC-assessed U.
“The standardisation model includes factors other than the individual student’s performance such as national results historically etc – so totally unfair on the individual student and will affect their futures.
“Schools are very unhappy with this. Many Year 12 pupils will likely therefore not return to Year 13.”
In all instances these lowered A-level grades may go up following the Welsh Government’s announcement that none will be less than AS. But the AS grades will remain the same. Teachers and students said this could put Welsh applicants at a disadvantage when applying for university in the coming months.
Universities have tried to reassure students, saying they are aware of the situation for both Aand AS-level students and are being “flexible” with offers. The university admissions service, UCAS, was also told about the review and will act on it where necessary.
The debacle across the border has led to all results for Highers in Scotland reverting to teacherassessed grades and England declaring no student there will get a final A-level grade lower than those they got in mock exams.
The row is already spreading to next week’s GCSE results. Ms Williams has promised she will review GCSE grades here if any changes over the border in the next few days would put pupils here at a disadvantage.
Ceri Reed, from campaign group Parents Voices in Wales, said: “I have emailed Kirsty Williams today requesting that the A-level model is used for GCSEs so that previous attainment in autumn 2019 and spring 2020 benchmarks minimum results for learners also. I’m very concerned about the moderation of whole schools.”