KS3 History Writing Assessment Question

[Niceweather]

Any History teachers out there? Just wondering how you would mark and what future GSCE chances would be for a piece of writing that is really well written, has a flair for language, shows an understanding of the subject and main arguments etc, BUT is riddled with grammatical errors, spelling errors and even incorrect words. (DS is dyslexic and wrote it on a laptop).

I think the new SPAG (spelling and grammar) rules are 10% aren't they? If that's the case I'd probably mark using the 10% as a guideline. I always know if my students are dyslexic, so I bear that in mind whilst marking. The incorrect words would worry me - this can happen when dyslexic students try to use the spellcheck on word and they choose the wrong word to replace the misspelt one!! Does he have a diagnosis? If so his dyslexia will be taken into consideration. I have encouraged Dyslexic students to take History this year (my ds is dyslexic too, I do understand). I'm yet to be totally clear how the new 10% SPAG will be applied to students with diagnosed language issues - perhaps a parent might be able to persuade Gove et al to inform us teachers?!

I only mentioned the word replacing thing because I think sometimes it can be more helpful for dyslexic students to NOT use the spellchecker for this very reason!

Thanks Knitknack. I would really like him to choose History as he does have a real interest in the subject. It looks like he's going to be 10% down before he even starts on any subject. The Dyslexia Assoc pointed out that a dyslexic student could get 100% answers correct but get a lower grade than someone who didn't because of this.

Yes, the word replacing is an issue.... have you ever heard of the Spinach Armada?

Just wondering what losing 10% is actually going to mean in real terms. Found this for GCSE:

A*=58 points
A=52
B=46
C=40
D=34
E=28
F=22
G=16

From this, I gather that it cannot be greater than a 1 grade loss for GCSE. It is the difference between an A* and an A or a B and a C.

And these for KS3 Levels:

7=45
6=39
5=33
4=27

Could make more of a difference here then.

Pretty depressing to think DS is going to be walking into all exams with a 10% deficit before he even puts pen to paper.

Link to Guardian article if anyone is interested:

www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/feb/05/dyslexia-gcse-exam-spelling

Niceweather - its not as simple as that. What do you mean by 'points' is it marks taken from a specific specification from an exam board one year or do you mean percentages, in which case this will also vary.

KS3 - SPAG is irrelevant so long as the teacher can work out what the child is saying, so they won't be marked down for bad grammar, they would just have more difficulty achieving high grades - levels 6 and 7 that require more quality of writing and argument. (As far as I am aware Mr Gove hasn't got as far as interfering with KS3 yet!)

The only workable way to do at GCSE it would be to have a set number of marks per paper for SPAG. Unless it was really really bad he would probably get something - maybe only a single mark! The new reforms are going to hugely disadvantage children with additional needs, and anyone who can't memorise huge chunks of text. But nevermind, their failure will make the children that do pass feel like they have really achieved something! Great idea Mr Gove.

Thanks vj32 - I don't understand how the points, percentages and marks work but I have heard of the 5% or 10% for spelling and grammar. I'm not surprised that it's not as simple as I thought.

You say that Levels 6 and 7 require more quality of writing and argument. I am hoping and believe that this might be achievable despite the grammar and spelling issues. Although someone with dyslexia might have problems with organisation, I don't think they would have difficulty understanding the argument so I am wondering what you mean by quality of writing if it's not grammar and punctuation? Do you mean planning and organisation of the work?

Actually, DS has a good memory and probably can "memorise huge chunks of text" so may be able to claw back some of the 5% he will lose for spelling.

He sounds like my DS who has just done his GCSEs this summer.

DS struggles with the organization but his school are very good at teaching them how to plan an essay. He has the analytical skills for history in abundance and loved the subject, but cant spell etc All his history teachers have raved about how he is spot on with analysis of a situation.
He got 10% extra time for writing exams and 25% for maths.

He did get his A for gcse but it was touch and go because his writing is so erratic and one day would get a C another an A*.

Nothing constructive to add, sorry, but pmsl @ "Spinach Armada"!

Yes, you can imagine what the spellchecker came up with when he was writing about "organisms" in Science!

Thanks Bruffin, Fantastic that your DS got an A. It's very encouraging to know that this is possible.

My favorite spelling mistake of ds's was

Awfisherly

He also managed to spell Christian four different ways on the same page.