In a letter to exams watchdog Ofqual, the Schooling Secretary stated examination grades this yr needs to be based mostly on instructor evaluation however he desires to “discover the likelihood” of offering “externally set duties or papers” to provide lecturers extra proof to base their grades on. A two-week session on the plans will launch subsequent week.
Mr Williamson additionally pledged that no algorithms will likely be used to standardise anybody’s grade. He insisted there could be exterior checks on the grades that lecturers give out however any adjustments to grades needs to be the exception.
He wrote: “Any adjustments needs to be based mostly on human choices, not by an computerized course of or algorithm.” It comes after final yr’s outcomes chaos which noticed many college students lacking out as a result of a discredited algorithm was used to find out grades.
Mr Williamson additionally stated a instructor’s ultimate judgement on grade needs to be made as late as attainable to maximise the remaining educating time and permit college students to compensate for work.
Simon Lebus, chief regulator at Ofqual, stated that basing outcomes on lecturers assessing the efficiency of their college students may have implications. He added: “With out exams we won’t obtain the identical diploma of reliability and validity as in regular years.”
In an announcement Mr Williamson stated: “I need to reassure college students that we have now learnt classes from final yr and will likely be placing our belief in lecturers to offer the grades that may let younger individuals progress to their subsequent stage.
“I do know that … specifically younger individuals really feel strongly about these points, which is why we, with Ofqual, will launch a session this week to offer the chance to form the method to various preparations.”
