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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that the whole gcse / A level grading system is rigged

260 replies

SparklesandGold · 13/08/2021 18:23

Just my opinion.

But isn’t it funny how GCSE and A level grades have significantly for higher ever since exams were cancelled?

I can’t help but think the whole thing is flawed. I am not teacher bashing, but come on, It’s hardly surprising to wonder if some, not all, teachers bumped their students grades up intentionally.

AIBU?

OP posts:
HarrietDVane · 13/08/2021 19:29

More students gained top grades for several reasons:

  1. Every year some students are ill on the day/miss the exam/suffer a bereavement/fail to prepare properly/get duff questions - which affects their grades. That didn't happen this year and teachers couldn't arbitrarily assume such an outcome for any student, so this 'natural' reduction in numbers didn't take place.
  1. Every year the exam boards manipulate the grade boundaries to keep a tight lid on the numbers of each grade awarded. Grades are artificially suppressed as a result. It's not as straightforward as saying 'Jimmy got 70% so he gets the top grade.' It simply doesn't work like that. This year, the grade allocation was not artificially suppressed so students were awarded the grades they deserved, based on copious assessments and evidence which was rigorously moderated by schools and spot-checked by the exam boards. It was actually a fairer outcome for students based on continuous, ongoing assessment.
CallmeHendricks · 13/08/2021 19:37

"Well, ok, if it was as strict as you are all saying it is, I accept that I am BU."

Well, folks, I think that's as close to an apology as anyone's going to get for a thread that insults all teachers' hard work and professionalism in unprecedented circumstances.

Shame you didn't think harder before you posted the thread in the first place, isn't it?

ouchmyfeet · 13/08/2021 19:39

@SparklesandGold

Why is everyone so sensitive when it comes To teachers?

I’ve noticed it seems to hit a nerve when the slightest criticism is made about them.

Would MN be so sensitive if someone were to make a critical comment about their local bin man/woman?

I was just thinking exactly the same thing as I read through the thread. If this is a representative sample of teachers (and I really hope it's not) it's quite alarming that kids are being taught by such melodramatic and unreasonable people.

I think grade inflation is a real shame because it's so short sighted. Ultimately it just means that those grades have less worth that they would otherwise have done. I wouldn't take them seriously as a potential employer. Kids getting results this week have had a shit time for the last two school years, it doesn't make sense that they would have broken records in terms of achievement.

Hercisback · 13/08/2021 19:41

melodramatic and unreasonable

We've outlined the grading process while being insulted by the OP.

Read the thread for the reasons grade inflation happens. It would be odd for the results to be the same as an exam year.

CallmeHendricks · 13/08/2021 19:42

"it's quite alarming that kids are being taught by such melodramatic and unreasonable people."

Where is the melodrama and lack or reason? Are we reading the same thread?

Greenmarmalade · 13/08/2021 19:44

it's quite alarming that kids are being taught by such melodramatic and unreasonable people.

GrinGrinGrin
This is brilliant!!
As a teacher, I’m a big fan of this comment.

Thoughts and prayers for us all.

JudgeJ · 13/08/2021 19:48

@bentleydrummle

Yabu

Blame the system devised by the government, not the teachers

Do describe the methodology you would have employed as you seem to be so dismissive of a lot of hard work, one can only assume you spout from a position of knowledge.
Imapotato · 13/08/2021 19:49

If this is a representative sample of teachers (and I really hope it's not) it's quite alarming that kids are being taught by such melodramatic and unreasonable people.

Or maybe those teachers have been working their arses off to ensure the kids got the right grade? And so don’t take kindly to the accusation that they’ve been inflating grades. Just a thought.

Namechange1million · 13/08/2021 19:52

I hope they go back to exams next year. As a teacher that worked so hard to make sure the assessments /grades were fair, it's frustrating as we can't do right in any scenario. Teachers didn't want to give final grades but did what was asked using the guidelines provided. Would much prefer if exam boards went back to doing the exam setting and marking.

SailYourShips · 13/08/2021 19:53

@TheMarzipanDildo

There have been so many threads explaining that teachers didn’t bump up the grades intentionally!
Very rarely do exam results need so many threads to explain these startlingly good grades.

This time, they are needed because many people without a skin in the game are amazed that almost every candidate passed and half of those got over the top grade.

It beggars belief and confounds common sense.

In no other professional exam, or even driving test, does every candidate pass.

Of course, parents and teachers of those involved will post message after message, some of them very lengthy, explaining why everyone passed and that's understandable but really, in no world that borders reality, should we expect everyone to pass and half of those to get the top grade.

It really does beggar belief.

OxanaVorontsova · 13/08/2021 19:54

Grade are rigged, in a normal year, so that a student performing at atheist same level as a student who achieved a 9 the previous year might only get a 7 because the government has decreed that there are only so many students allowed to achieve a 9 and others have done better than this one. This year that hasn’t happened.

Original poster
SparklesandGold · 13/08/2021 19:54

It’s a bit dramatic to say I’m insulting teachers.

Some people need to grow a thicker skin.

OP posts:
BillyWhozz · 13/08/2021 19:56

@SailYourShips

Or so many threads because people fail to read and understand them

BrilliantBetty · 13/08/2021 19:56

Yes, if 45% are getting an A...
what does an A really mean. Something's gone wrong somewhere.

SachaStark2 · 13/08/2021 19:57

Believe me, mate, after the year we have had, I’m afraid you are coming across as very insulting.

SailYourShips · 13/08/2021 19:58

@BillyWhozz

No, I don't think that is the reason. Many people understand the threads but, reasonably, don't believe them.

BillyWhozz · 13/08/2021 19:59

@SparklesandGold

It’s a bit dramatic to say I’m insulting teachers.

Some people need to grow a thicker skin.

You questioned their integrity by saying

But I kind of just thought, well, Sarah is a good person so I will give her a higher grade and I also want our schools grades to be high so I’ll give the class As and Bs

(Not to mention the fact it doesn't work like that)

BillyWhozz · 13/08/2021 19:59

[quote SailYourShips]@BillyWhozz

No, I don't think that is the reason. Many people understand the threads but, reasonably, don't believe them.[/quote]
It is...

Original poster
SparklesandGold · 13/08/2021 20:00

@CallmeHendricks

"Well, ok, if it was as strict as you are all saying it is, I accept that I am BU."

Well, folks, I think that's as close to an apology as anyone's going to get for a thread that insults all teachers' hard work and professionalism in unprecedented circumstances.

Shame you didn't think harder before you posted the thread in the first place, isn't it?

I’m not issuing an apology to anyone.

What I said was my opinion and I think it’s reasonable to ask those questions.

I didn’t create a thread to criticise teachers.

OP posts:
colouringindoors · 13/08/2021 20:00

YABU

There was no grade inflation at my dcs massive state comprehensive. Just a lot of very stressed kids and exhausted teachers.

JulesCobb · 13/08/2021 20:00

Why complain about being called a goady fucker and then make post after post being a goady fucker?

mineofuselessinformation · 13/08/2021 20:01

@SparklesandGold, as a teacher, I can confidently say you have no clue what you are talking about.
Biscuit

Original poster
SparklesandGold · 13/08/2021 20:01

@BrilliantBetty

Yes, if 45% are getting an A... what does an A really mean. Something's gone wrong somewhere.
Exactly!!
OP posts:
Hercisback · 13/08/2021 20:01

What do you mean by "nearly every candidate passed" @sailyourships?

Because this isn't true.

OP your tone is insulting as you have said you thought teachers gave good grades to students they like more. You have corrected yourself on that.

Tempusfudgeit · 13/08/2021 20:02

Affect (v.) Effect (n.)