Ireland isn’t ready for predicted grades

Sir — In last week’s

Sunday Independent, GP and journalist Ciara Kelly talked about education, using NPCPP Survey results to promote the idea of estimated grades as an alternative to students sitting the Leaving Cert. She quotes the fact that other countries are this year using estimated grades in place of exam results.

What she fails to mention is that UK countries are data-rich. Universities have been using predicted grades even before I took A-levels well over 50 years ago. Back then I was offered my first three university choices on the basis of my school predicted results submitted in February.

In my years as principal of two English comprehensive schools, all teaching staff were required to submit predicted grades in February. Teachers were also issued with government-expected grades for each student. These were based on past performance of each individual students at 11, 14 and 16 and included data based on gender, month of birth, educational and economic background of parents. The predicted grades issued by teachers were moderated by subject leaders to ensure consistency within the school. They were then submitted to examination boards.

Teachers’ annual performance management targets, including those of subject leaders and senior management, were also based on examination results. Salary progression, including those of the principal, depended on an aspect of predicted results.

Teachers in these circumstances are well experienced and competent in matters to do with predicted grades.

Irish teachers have no experience of these procedures and from what I understand would be reluctant to get involved. I make this statement on the basis of parental discussions and observations over the past six years with teachers in the two very different secondary schools that our girls attended for Leaving Cert studies. For eight years I was also a volunteer mentor in yet a third local secondary school.

Alan Whelan,

Killarney, Co Kerry