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Ofqual brands teacher-assessed grades as 'implausible'

Read the full article here - https://www.tes.com/news/ofqual-brands-teacher-assessed-grades-implausible

"Ofqual has said it was forced to downgrade thousands of A-level results owing to "implausibly high" predictions submitted by teachers.

The news comes despite yesterday's praise for teachers' "grading accuracy" by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).

In total, 96.4 per cent of A-level results in England were the same as – or within one grade of – teacher-assessed grades.

But A-level results day descended in chaos as 39.1 per cent of teachers' estimates for pupils in England were adjusted down by one grade or more.

The downgrades – amounting to some 280,000 entries – were enacted as the nation's education officials grappled with how to determine results in a year in which exams were cancelled due to coronavirus.

The government is coming under increasing pressure to review its moderation and appeals system, with pupils complaining they have been let down, and experts warning poorer students will be affected most due to reassessments which consider schools' past performances.

A protest by students, parents and teachers had been planned to take place in Downing Street on Friday morning, while at least one student is reportedly threatening legal action against Ofqual.

But Ofqual said it had been forced into the downgrades by inaccurate predictions by many teachers, although the vast majority had submitted accurate estimates.

"Because there was no opportunity to develop a common approach to grading, the standard applied by different schools and colleges varies greatly," an Ofqual spokesman told The Daily Telegraph.

"A rare few centres put in implausibly high judgments, including one which submitted all A* and A grades for students in two subjects, where previously there had been normal distribution."

While the proportion of students with A-level grade reductions was largest among those from the most deprived backgrounds, the regulator has insisted there was no evidence of systemic bias."

Reply 1

username5360040

I would say I agree with it. Solely depending on the teacher assessed grades leave a great loophole to undermine the credibility of the results, as there can be bias, discrimination or unfair generousness. So the adjustment system is much needed.
While shame on Gavin Williamson not getting the appeal system ready. What do you think?