CCEA is running a public consultation on the appeals process it will use on this summer's GCSE, AS, and A Level grades, and you can have your say.
NI students waiting on GCSE, AS, and A level results this summer are set to be awarded estimated grades following the cancellation of final exams, but many parents are afraid that their kids will end up with worse grades as a result. Some students tend to do better in externally moderated final exams than on in-class continual assessment, and the accuracy of predicted grades is highly suspect.
CCEA's plan for assessment was announced last month and will use a statistical model along with teacher's rankings to determine grades. Schools will generate predicted grades for each student in each subject based on any previous assessed work, and the students will then be ranked in order, and statistical methods will be applied to arrive at a final grade.
Part of the plan includes provision for an appeals process for those who believe they have received the wrong grade, with potential for some resits if examination centres are allowed to open after the summer. The actual details of the appeal process haven't been finalised yet, and CCEA is now running a public consultation asking for input from parents, teachers, and interested parties on it.
You can contribute your thoughts over at www.ccea.org.uk and the deadline for contributing is 5pm on Thursday 21 May 2020. This appeals process is designed to replace the system students would normally have to request a remarking of their examination paper, since this year there are no paper examinations.
CCEA is encouraging anyone with a stake in the qualification outcomes to get in touch, including not just teachers and schools but also potential employers and universities who may be making decisions based on these grades. Students themselves and concerned parents are also encouraged to give their views on the appeals process.
CCEA Chief Executive, Justin Edwards commented on the consultation: "We recognise that not every student will be content with their grade and where this is the case it is very important that the appeals process is fair, open and transparent. In achieving that aim we would encourage all interested parties to respond to our consultation so that the final agreed appeals process will be as robust and equitable as possible"
To contribute your views, head over to the official consultation page and submit your views by 5pm on Thursday 21 May 2020.
Source: Written based on press release
