Why was there not a clear plan B for exams

[Whywasther55]

Just that really why when it was a clear likelihood did the DFE not have a clear plan in place for exams instead of leaving us all in limbo. Aibu to be livid we have been left in limbo?

@RufustheSniggeringReindeer

why

Theyve had since august to come up with a plan B

And they had one "see if plan a works if it doesn't go to plan B of teacher assement being used.

You know like like other times

I mean plan C is use teacher assement plan B was to use modern data analytics to assess but people whined thier children's grade wasnt as high as the teacher one

@WyfOfBathe

How can you do mocks early in the year when the subject has only started to be taught after the summer holidays, totally impractical.

The school where DH teaches (and I formerly taught) have done the first sets of y11 and y13 mocks in October for years. Schools have to provide predicted grades to unis from Sept onwards - the Oxbridge/medicine deadline is 15th Oct. It's not 'totally impractical'.

So just incompetence at the school level for others?

plan B was to use modern data analytics

Which only worked at a population level.
Anyone looking at a school level would have realised the grades were incorrect.

@Sinful8

I mean plan C is use teacher assement plan B was to use modern data analytics to assess but people whined thier children's grade wasnt as high as the teacher one

That wasn't the problem with the 'modern data analytics'.

The problem with the modern data analytics plan was that it chucked out some absolutely batshit grades and there was no human intervention beforehand to check the massively discrepant ones.

If they had given the grades to schools to check before releasing to the kids (or even to any human), then the problems would have been spotted and there was a chance of a fix.

The govt instead thought that it was fine to give batshit grades because there was an exam series in Autumn for those who 'weren't happy'.

They could (and should) have issued contingency plans. They could have released standardised mock papers from the various exam boards (the 2020 papers being already written and unused) and told schools to conduct their mocks during the autumn term according to JCQ protocols as far as possible (which is how mocks should be done anyway). If exams had gone ahead as normal this would have been a slightly more standardised mock exam process, but in the present situation it would also provide some standardised material which could be moderated.

We are in a more fortunate position than many schools; we have done our mocks, and in my department at least we are confident in our marking. Several of us are examiners and we have proper moderation processes in place. I feel for the schools who had scheduled their mocks for this half term.

What do you suggest Plan B should be?

Earlier!

Seriously, thats all most of us have said

They fucked up last year and should have put plan B in place for this year immediately (or close to immediately)

• And they had one "see if plan a works if it doesn't go to plan B of teacher assement being used

Ah i see

You are someone that believes that the plan is just saying the words

I gotcha

So like when you go to work and the fire alarm goes off and someone says ‘i have a plan to get us out’ and then...

Well thats it, no lets ring the fire brigade, make sure we know we have everyone , everyone uses the fire door etc

As why said The plan b would be to have guidelines prepared after extensive consultation ready to use at a moments notice with schools told from September to be gathering evidence and to do mocks early in the year and then a second set later on

Not just saying the words plan B...after months of saying ‘exams only....no cags’

And again

Most people on this thread are happy with the current plan B...we are just saying it should have been earlier

@Sinful8

I mean plan C is use teacher assement plan B was to use modern data analytics to assess but people whined thier children's grade wasnt as high as the teacher one

Wasnt fit for purpose

Like williamson 🤔

whatisthislifesofullofcare

I take it that was me you referred to as 'whinging' about disengaged kids?

Not my kids. Mine are great - super bright, high achievers, very motivated.

I just happen to give a shit about kids who have been and are being royally fucked over by the shower of incompetent fuckwits who are supposed to be running the country.

And in response to whoever was whinging about their kids disengaging, then thats on them imo; at 15/16 years old they should be self-directing

She’s not talking about her children, she is talking about children who already struggle in education

Oops cross post

Thanks Rufus.

Yes, it's striking that whyisthislifefullofcare's frame of reference seems to be restricted to 'me, me, me'.

As it looks likely that the whole of this term will be online, and much of last term was (randomly) disrupted, what is needed now is planning for 2022

Those plans which were inadequate for 2021 (slimming syllabus, some topics prioritised for examination, more questions to choose between for other topics) need to be considered for 2022, and decisions made early. Otherwise it's going to be a very unlevel playing field

Right now a guarantee their work from now counts is enough. have you had this guarantee @HercwasanEnemyofEducation?

@NotDonna No, my point is that we need to know.

I assumed you hadn’t been told but didn’t want to jump to conclusions.
Ideally, what would you as teachers herc & noble like to happen now, particularly for schools that haven’t done mocks. Are ofqual & dfe asking teachers or HT?
And add, huge bloody thanks for supporting our kids through this turmoil. I truly think you teachers are doing an amazing job. Thank you.

Ideally a clear message that everything they do now counts, would be my first priority.

Then (for maths) I'd get them internally assessed with past papers. Check each school compared to their prior attainment and moderate and anomalies and a random sample of others.

Ideally a clear message that everything they do now counts, would be my first priority

Yeah, ive personally been telling ds2 that since the august results!

I think he’s bored of hearing it 😀