Grades

[balloonsintrees]

Defo name changed for this, but has anyone else had the 'we're not questioning your professionalism or judgement, but could you just reconsider the grades you've awarded' about Year 11?

Piggy we have a subject with no historical data so it will be interesting to see what happens there.

I'm surprised with places dropping grades, most people I've spoken to are having to put them up!

Really? Opposite here.

The no historical data thing ought to be transparently explained really!

I have one year (with a poor class) that I am concerned may be classed as historical data.

It'll be the new stress phrase for teachers : 'you lot better start working hard or you will damage my historical data!'

Or "you lot don't bother working hard as your grades depend on historical data".

Just wish they'd hurry up with a plan for next summer.

me too....

Funny you never hear any teachers moaning that the current cohort is worse than last year but they have to match the profile and mark up! Statistically, that should happen too.

We calculated our CAGs and were very pleased that the numbers were roughly in align with last year. Independent school so we don’t have SATs data. Just have to wait and see if they get adjusted.

@theletterz I would suppose, the fact that the longer we are teaching the new spec for, the better we get at teaching it so grades are likely to be better. Also, the cohorts going through now, will have had the new style teaching (at least for my subject) since year 7

My DH was bemoaning exactly that last week!

So, a teacher who is HOD could request that the highest grades in the year ae awarded to her class? Irrespective of ability in other classes?

I have wondered if this was going on with a colleague in the past. I was asked to lower my grades as they didn't fit with previous years percentage (what has that got to do with anything?) and the result was my class only attained a reduced level of high grades whereas colleagues had significantly more.

I have had such a nightmare with this. Got my 'tweeked' (sic) grades back and they'd lowered the % 9-4 by 24%!!! They also lowered the % at or above target grade from 75% to 54%, even though I got 75% last year (the first year I taught the new GCSE). They gave one poor student on track for a 3 (her target) a 1 just because one student last year got a 1 because she was never in school. Apparently FFT says this year's students are weak, despite them being the best cohort I have ever had (practical subject where talent has a massive impact). Have spent the day justifying my grades with reams of data - they fight me with data, I fight back with data! And breathe.....

@ValancyRedfern

Do the right thing by your conscious. If you know the students are at that grade, fight for them.

You have my sympathies - it is a horrible thing to be part of.

I feel broken. They've let me have my way on the lower grades but won't budge on the higher grades. It feels like all the blood sweat and tears of the last two years (mine and the students') were a waste of time.

Blimey.

Is there anyone you can speak to? What about the other teachers in the department?

How clear are you on these grades? If you really, really believe these are the right grades, can you submit them with a document saying that you cannot in clear conscience, assign a grade to a pupil that you know is not a true reflection of their work. That you understand that SLT have more experience in how these things play out and feel that as you have done as much as you can, you accept you have to leave it to their judgement now.

I have a real problem with SLT asking teachers to make the changes. If the want them changed, it should be on their conscience.

To be fair to them. They are making the changes then asking for my response. So there is some give and take. Part of my upset is at myself for not fighting harder. I'm a one person dept so it's all on me in terms of my knowledge of the students and the spec. They're so anxious about the overall school data, but I only have 42 students, so I wonder what difference they make in the grand scheme of things. But then, I'd hate for the grades to be moved down by the exam board.... Its like the normal coursework moderation stress x1000!

I'd hate for the grades to be moved down by the exam board...

Why would this happen?

serenada

Percentages on the grading bell curve.
Or not in line with the schools grade history.
Or grades are deemed to be to high within a group.

@Fripp

Or not in line with the schools grade history.

So, a school could have had a new HOD and turned a dept around or a new cohort or pupils from another area. Would their results be lowered to fit historical data?

serenada

That is what makes this such a troubling year.

We have a new HoD, a better Cohort and only one historic year to fall back on.

We are concerned that this will happen to us.

This is making a mockery of all the hard work teachers and pupils are doing.

I have no words.