Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford has welcomed the decision from the Education Secretary John Swinney to reverse the moderation of SQA grades, instead awarding pupils with the grades estimated by their teachers.
The changes come after many pupils found their exam results were downgraded under a moderation model used by the SQA. The updated grades will be confirmed by August 21st.
Data showed across the country that with the moderation in place, overall, attainment had increased this year based on last year’s results. However, on a number of occasions, pupils received results much lower than they were expecting and, in some cases, prevented them from being able to go to the university or college of their choice.
A similar system has been applied to exam results in England and in Wales. Scotland is the first to reverse it.
Commenting, Bruce Crawford MSP said:
“My office has been contacted by a number of concerned parents and pupils over the past couple of weeks, and my heart went out to those who felt that they lost out.
“This was a system that was put in place with the best of intentions during an unprecedented pandemic crisis, which saw school exams cancelled this year. However, the model used was clearly flawed in a number of cases, and John Swinney has done the right thing in reversing it.
“It is welcome news that attainment for young people from the lowest 40% in household income has increased the most, the Scottish Government has invested heavily over the parliamentary term to tackle the attainment gap between high and low income families.
“Pupils will receive confirmation of their revised grades later this month, and the SQA will be issuing updated certificates. If any pupil is unhappy with the grades estimated by their school, they can appeal directly to the SQA.”
