Calculated grades system brings clarity for Leaving Cert students
THE decision of the Minister for Education to implement a new system for awarding ‘calculated grades’ for Leaving Certificate exams for 2020, due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, brings much needed clarity for tens of thousands of anxious students.
There is now certainty for Leaving Certificate students who don’t have to face the agonising wait to see if exams will go ahead in July/August subject to public health advice or what exams would look like later in the summer.
Calculated grades have been decided upon as the fairest option for all students and the system has at its core objectivity and fairness.
Teachers will assess students on their work over the last two years and award the marks they think the student would have achieved in the Leaving Cert exam. They will also provide class rankings.
The finalised marks and rankings will be transmitted to the Department of Education and Skills for national standardisation.
The decision has been welcomed by the majority of students and parents, while a survey by the Irish Second Level Students’ Union found that delaying exams was not a popular option with students. Many students cited stress and mental health difficulties as the main reason for not wanting delayed exams.
It is most important now that students register on the online portal. They must trust in the system that has been put in place. All stake holders involved will do their best to ensure equity and fairness for all students.
The system being put in place will allow a young person to progress to the next stage of their life in a timely fashion.
The last few weeks have been extremely tough and the spotlight of media attention has not helped.
Leaving Cert students now need to relax, enjoy the fine weather, relish this time they can spend with their families, stay connected with their friends and support each other as best they can.