To be fair, we can do better than exams
Exams may be fair, but young people’s educational experiences leading to them are not. That’s why we must reform our qualifications system, says Jo-Anne Baird. “A different definition of fairness…
Europe
Why we need a national conversation about assessment
As we emerge from the pandemic, we owe young people a national conversation to review how we assess them, writes Jo-Anne Baird. “Only having end-of-course exams left the system vulnerable…
England’s school assessment system favours the sharp-elbowed and the wealthy
This week, a Tes survey to which more than 2,800 teachers responded found that one in four had experienced parents pressuring them to raise grades – including threats of legal action if their little…
Scottish Qualifications Authority to be scrapped after OECD review
The Scottish Qualifications Authority is to be replaced as part of a “substantial” overhaul of education, following an independent review.The government said changes would be made in response to the…
MPs fear ‘wild west’ of A-level and GCSE exam grades in England
A lack of government guidance over this year’s A-level and GCSE awards in England risks creating a “wild west” of inconsistent decisions and rampant grade inflation, MPs have warned. Read…
Assessment of England pupils sitting exams in 2022 likely to be adapted
Assessments of pupils in England due to sit GCSE and A-level examinations in summer 2022 are likely to be adapted to take into account the disruption to their studies caused…
Education institutions in Latvia brace for exam season during pandemic
The final tests in general education are not cancelled. They are still planned to be held with students arriving in person, as reported by Latvian State Education Content Centre representative…
The exam board Pearson has launched a “major” consultation into the future of exams
The first part of the research will be a national six week consultation to get views from students, parents and the sector on how the assessment system can be “fit…
Covid hits exam-taking and poorer pupils worst, study finds
Children studying for exams and those from disadvantaged families are the most likely to have suffered severe disruption to their learning and motivation during the pandemic, according to the largest…
Beating the cheating: The next hurdle after exams are cancelled
Most pupils have spent a significant portion of the last year learning from home, and some believe online assessments are harder to monitor and may not reflect their true abilities.…