Gavin Williamson stands firm on his decision to use the Ofqual algorithm for A-level grades instead of trusting the teacher’s assessment.
Ofqual algorithm for A-level students
A protest was conducted in Downing Street London, led by students calling for the recall of projected exam results using the Ofqual algorithm for A-level and GCSE grades. Many of the students believe that they should have received better exam results as compared to what the Ofqual algorithm has provided.
However, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson stood firm on his decision to retain the results from the Ofqual algorithm and defends that is is more scientific and accurate as compared to grade judgements from the student’s teachers. Williamson does not favour human intervention as it may create biases on the decision making of coming up with grades.
Grades based on personal assessment might create a huge inflation in grade outcomes for A-levels and GCSEs.
But, several sources are surfacing that Ofqual directors are in talks about a possible change in the decision regarding the A-level exam results.
The algorithm led a huge displacement in public trust, and with how the government addressed the ongoing pandemic, another blow on the government might develop into chaos.
The Ofqual board are open in retracting the A-level exam results and give favour to grades via teacher’s assessment. The board believes that it is the best political move that should be done. The decision now lies within Mr Gavin Williamson to call the shots.
Scottish Qualification Exams
A similar occasion happened a few weeks back in Scotland where the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) pulls down the initial grades based on the teacher’s assessment. The decision led to a massive protest of students objecting to the move made by the SQA.
This is a scenario which officials in the UK are wanting to prevent. The decision should be made before the new set of predicted results for the GCSEs will be released any time soon.
