Stark differences in exam results revealed
DATA showing in detail how teacher-assessed grades for exams this summer were higher than those awarded by the controversial algorithm have been published by regulator Qualifications Wales.
The figures, released yesterday, show stark differences in top grading for students eligible for free school meals.
All exams were cancelled this summer, leading to a fiasco when the original algorithm used to standardise grades was ditched at the last minute.
The pressure and anger over thousands of results being lowered by the algorithm forced the Welsh Government into a U-turn to agree results would be awarded on the Centre Assessed Grade (CAG) marks days after A-level results came out and just before GCSE grades were published.
Yesterday’s figures from the regulator show that under the algorithm to keep grades similar to past years 10.8% of all A-level grades in Wales were assessed the top A* at A-level, compared with 15.5% according to the CAG.
At GCSE 66.5% of grades were A*-C according to the algorithm, compared with 73.7% by the CAG.
Headteachers complained the algorithm unfairly disadvantaged high performers in lower-achieving schools because it looked at results from previous years and cohorts to arrive at grades.
Where the CAG was lower than the standardised grade, students were finally awarded the higher grade.
The data compares grades for A-level, AS, GCSE and the Skills Challenge Certificate awarded by the algorithm, teacher assessments and the revised results.
Qualifications Wales has been under fire, along with the Welsh Government and WJEC exam board, for the ditched standardisation algorithm which downgraded some students, especially high achievers in historically lower-achieving schools, because it looked at past results of cohorts and schools to reach a result.
“The move to award qualifications based on CAGs means that grades are the professional judgement of teachers, except where grades already issued or calculated are higher than the CAG. All CAGs provided by schools and colleges have been approved by the Head of Centres,” said Qualifications Wales as it released the figures.
An independent review of this year’s exams chaos was announced by the Welsh Government last week.
Responding to the report, a Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We note the further publication in line with Qualifications Wales’ commitment to providing information about this year’s arrangements and results transparently and accessibly. The review is independent and it will be for the review team to decide the information it considers.
“The Minister has been clear she believes it is in the best interests of all learners to sit exams next summer, but given the continuing public health uncertainty, as a responsible government, it is right that we consider contingency arrangements.
“Qualifications Wales and WJEC have been working on this since early July and it will be informed by recommendations of the review.”