SQA plan is a ‘recipe for disaster’ says MSP

The SQA’s plan not to publish details of how it will grade students until after results day have been branded a ‘recipe for disaster’.
West Scotland list MSP Ross GreerWest Scotland list MSP Ross Greer
West Scotland list MSP Ross Greer

The exams body has informed the Scottish Parliament’s education committee of this intention by letter, following the committee requesting details be published to ensure public confidence.

The SQA also confirmed an equalities impact assessment on the proposals, which will see pupils’ grades moderated depending on what school they go to, has not yet been completed.

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It was previously revealed Scotland’s Equalities & Human Rights Commissioner is concerned about the legality of the SQA’s plan, a point raised with the Scottish Government by West Scotland list MSP Ross Greer.

Mr Greer said: “Public confidence in this year’s grading system is critical, so keeping its details a secret until after results day is a recipe for disaster.

“How can teachers and pupils make informed judgements about appeals for example, when they don’t know the model the SQA used to change a pupil’s grade until after it has been issued, leaving them only a few days to get their heads round the system?

“The SQA came up with a grading system and announced it publicly before even finishing it or conducting a legally-required equalities impact assessment.

“What will they do if the EQIA concludes that the use of a school’s historic exam results during moderation will put pupils from more deprived communities at an unacceptable disadvantage?”

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