Coronavirus Impact on GCSE Exams: Revisiting School Closures and Predicted Grades

The recent outbreak of coronavirus has raised concerns about the continuity of education for students in the UK, particularly in relation to the upcoming GCSE exams. If schools are closed due to the virus, the question arises as to how students will be assessed. One hypothesis is that students might receive their predicted grades instead of their actual exam scores. This article examines the potential methods for handling such a situation and the impact on students.

Graphical Distribution (Normal Curve Method)

One possible approach in such situations is the use of a graphical distribution or normal curve method. This method involves creating separate distribution curves for students who were affected by the school closures and those who were not. The grades would then be assigned based on positions along these distribution curves rather than actual exam marks.

Although this method might provide some leniency for students who were unable to sit their exams due to school closures, it's important to evaluate its fairness. The shift in grades based on relative performance could potentially benefit students who have consistently worked hard throughout the course and have thorough notes. However, the majority of students might not see a significant change in their grades if their performance was good and consistent.

Postponement of Exams

Another approach could be to postpone the GCSE exams. This solution ensures that all students have the opportunity to sit for their exams under normal conditions. Postponing the exams might require additional planning, resources, and logistical support, but it could be more equitable and less stressful for students.

Some stakeholders argue that postponing the exams would be a practical and fair solution. Students who were unable to study due to school closures could spend extra time preparing under improved conditions. This would provide a fair opportunity for all students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.

Alternative Assessment Methods

In the case where exams cannot be postponed and school closures persist, alternative assessment methods might be considered. These could include a combination of coursework, internal assessments, and teacher evaluations. For GCSE students, teacher-assessed grades (TAGs) have been used in the past as a fallback option.

Using teacher-assessed grades involves teachers providing a grade based on their observation of the student's work throughout the course. While this method can be subjective, it can also take into account factors such as consistent effort, improvement, and overall performance. Teachers' assessments could be cross-referenced with set criteria to ensure consistency and fairness.

Teachers and educational experts suggest that alternative assessment methods should be carefully planned to ensure that they are fair and consistent. The grades awarded through this method should align with the standards of the GCSE exams and be comparable to what students would achieve in a normal exam setting.

Conclusion

While the idea of using predicted grades as an alternative method of assessment may seem reasonable at first glance, it could lead to inconsistencies and potential biases. The most effective solution would be to either postpone the exams to provide a fair opportunity for all students or to use alternative assessment methods that are rigorously designed to maintain fairness and consistency.

It is crucial for educational authorities to work closely with teachers, students, and parents to ensure that any measures taken are fair and effective. The well-being and future prospects of students should be the primary concern in these challenging times.