Higher results debacle won’t be repeated
Council makes pledge to give pupils fair grades
The scandal that saw almost half of all Higher results downgraded in 2020 will not be repeated this year.
The vow from Renfrewshire Council comes as it sets out its timetable for student assessment.
The local authority has told the Express that all Renfrewshire high school pupils will be issued their proposed Higher, Advanced Higher and National 5 grades before the end of the school year.
And, while these grades will be ratified by the Scottish Qualifications Authority ( SQA) before a formal result is issued on August 10, only a small proportion of provisional grades are expected to change.
Last year, the SQA applied an algorithm to all provisional grades set by teachers across Scotland which saw a huge number of grades awarded to children from deprived communities downgraded.
In Renfrewshire, 41 per cent of all Higher grades were slashed before the Scottish Government said all grades awarded by teachers should be reinstated.
Now education bosses at Renfrewshire Council have said that a moderation system set up within schools and the education department, with an input from the SQA, means that the vast majority of results issued on June 25 will remain unchanged.
The move was confirmed by Renfrewshire Council chief executive Sandra Black in a briefing to councillors.
In a paper shared with councillors, she said schools would work with inspectors to ensure fair grades were determined for all those completing national qualifications.
She said: “The key difference to the traditional certification model is that schools have been asked to take the lead on determining provisional grades for pupils based on evidence of ‘demonstrated attainment’.
“As a result, pupils need to be assessed to enable teachers to gather evidence of attainment.
“On return from the Easter break, pupils will undertake assessments running from April until June.
“These assessments will be used to gather evidence that will inform provisional grades.
“To ensure that these provisional grades are consistent, equitable and fair, they will also be subject to school and local authority quality assurance processes.”
Council bosses have said the provisional grades will be informed by two to four pieces of evidence gathered in each subject under controlled conditions.
Schools will let their pupils know when any additional assessments will take place and what form they will take.
HM Inspectors of Education is currently carrying out a review of
Renfrewshire Council’s approach to marking to ensure provisional grades are as accurate as possible.
This is being done at all local authorities in the country and a report will be produced before any grades are drafted.
Ms Black added: “Unlike in 2020, provisional results will be shared with learners before being submitted to the SQA.
“The provisional results will still be subject to further administrative checks by the SQA, who will then issue the final results individually to learners on August 10, 2021.
“Schools will continue to engage with pupils and parents and carers to ensure that they are aware of what evidence will be used to inform provisional grades, when these assessments will take place and parents and carers will be encouraged to contact the school directly if they have any concerns or questions.”