National 5s cancelled!

[diamondwhiteandblack]

So finally we hear they have been cancelled. My daughter is so upset. I'm not really sure why as she's not a 'worker'. I think it's because she knows the weeks ahead will be non stop assessments and tests.
I really think they couldn't have planned exams as so may kids and teachers off self isolating.
What really does this mean though?
Surely this system is open for abuse?
How can it be fair?

My S4 DD was gutted too. She has ASN and the school haa already forgotten to put the correct measures in place for 3 class tests, impacting her grades. She sees the coming months aa being like n constant exam diet but without the study leave that would accompany it. Like the Op I wonder how it will be fairly assessed and moderated? That's not teacher bashing, just a genuine concern.

We finish up on Friday for 2 weeks and I really hope something can be communicated before then explaining how it will all work.

I totally understand your concerns but at least cancelling them now gives time to put in place a plan for how the children will be assessed, and allows the children the chance to put the effort they need to in to the class tests/coursework etc.

My DD had her GCSE exams cancelled in the Summer and the stress levels were really high. Lots of her year group had not really worked for the first set of mocks, in the expectation that there would be loads of time to revise before the next set of mocks and study leave before the real thing. They had no idea how exactly their grades would be assessed, but a heavy indication that this first set of tests (that even the school had told them not to worry about and use to see what they needed to work on) would be a strong indicator. The school set them work to do at home at the start of lockdown to use as evidence, then were told by the Government not to- so lots of children were left feeling that they had underperformed at the first mock and had no way to work and fix this. Then there was all the stress about the algorithm (I personally know several high achievers in high school who did averagely in primary school SATS and live in a disadvantaged area so were really worried, when the A level shit show became apparent) that they would be heavily marked down.

So I suppose I'm saying this is difficult for you, but probably not as stressful as cancelling at the last minute which would clearly be a risk otherwise.

I think it's sensible. But then I come at it from the angle of a parent who is assuming their kid will go on and do highers then maybe some qualification beyond that, so n4 and n5 will not be very important overall. Even after 1 year of highers n5 results will be less relevant. I appreciate that's not the case for everyone.
At least we have some certainty in this area and a better chance of highers going ahead since there are fewer kids to consider.

Obviously the devil is in the detail, but the advantage of continuous assessment for NAT5 is not everything is being tested at once.

For example, science, they may get end of unit/mid unit mini tests in the classroom when learning is fresh instead of having know all units for the full year in one formal exam.

In English they may be able to practice/learn RUAE then do assessments in class while the learning is still fresh. They may be able to practice/know one of their texts in class and then be tested on that before moving on and forgetting about it instead of having to go into an exam with RUAE, Scottish Text and their text for their critical essay all in their heads to be tested on in one day.

The uncertainty of change can be intimidating but there are lots of advantages to continuous assessment you can sell to her. Also as pp says NAT5's are a minor stepping stone to the next stage. I would have preferred continuous assessment for ds who is doing Higher this year.