Inf lated Leaving Cert grades to be phased out

INFLATED Leaving Cert grades are to be phased out, but there will be no ‘cliff edge’ drop, the Minister for Education has announced.

Norma Foley confirmed that a ‘gradual’ return to normal Leaving Certificate outcomes will begin next year, following the higher grades given during the pandemic.

She also confirmed that results will be released this year on August 23.

The issue began in 2020 when the Leaving Certificate written examination papers were cancelled due to Covid.

Students that year instead received ‘calculated grades’ which resulted in overall grade inflation for the year of 4.4%.

In 2021 the Leaving Certificate exams went ahead but students could also be assessed by accredited grades or a mix of the two. As they could choose between whichever grade was higher, inflation continued.

As a result, Minister Foley agreed to boost students’ grades in 2022 and again last year, so they could compete fairly for university places against students from earlier years. Grades are now on average 7% higher than 2019.

Minister Foley said yesterday that for students in 2024, there will be no change from last year, with grades staying at the same level. This means the State Examinations Commission (SEC) will continue to apply a postmarking adjustment to ensure grades reach the appropriate levels. From next year, the SEC will apply a post-marking adjustment which will bring the Leaving Cert results to around 5.5% higher than 2019. The level of future year adjustments and assessment from next year and the timeline for phasing out a post-marking adjustment will be informed by the 2025 experience, the minister said.

‘As is widely recognised, we must return aggregate results towards pre-pandemic levels. However, given the disruption to teaching and learning for students, it was right to maintain overall results at their current level in the last two years through a post-marking adjustment,’ Minister Foley explained.

The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) said every effort must be made to ensure fairness for students.

Michael Gillespie, TUI General Secretary, also welcomed confirmation that students would continue to benefit from the existing assessment adjustments next year.