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Students exiting Cert can expect a great set of results Monday, but it will drive an increase in college entrance points that will leave some disappointed.
The grades awarded to approximately 57,000 students will be better overall than if they had taken the traditional certificate of completion in June, although not as high as the number of teachers delivered.
However, the increase in overall results, the exact level of which will not be known until Monday, was considered the least unpleasant option.
In this year’s extraordinary circumstances, Education Minister Norma Foley chose to “prioritize equity for 2020 students over eliminating grade point inflation.”
The minister’s efforts included a late decision to eliminate the controversial use of schools’ past performance on the Leaving Cert as a key measure in the 2020 grade calculation process.
The effect of eliminating a school’s previous academic performance meant that teachers ‘qualifications were more trusted, while the results of students’ Junior Certificates were also used as a reference.
Ms Foley was aware of the recent A-Level results scandal in the UK, after a similar measure was deemed unfair to high achievers in schools in disadvantaged communities.
The Cabinet approved yesterday the elimination of the academic trajectory of the schools of the equation. It paved the way for results that Ms. Foley recognized would now be fairer for students from disadvantaged communities.
The result of the calculated grading process will show that 83% of students will receive a grade based on their teacher’s estimate, or higher.
However, it was found that teachers scored more than twice the number of higher H1 scores in many subjects than would have been expected on traditional Leaving Cert exams. In some cases, the number of H1s tripled.
Such generosity was curbed during the national standardization process of results, supervised in the Department of Education, in the 17% of school grades that were reduced.
The Irish Secondary Teachers Association said it will keep an open mind until the results are released.
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland said it was confident “that no student will be harmed by the grading process or by circumstances beyond their control.”
The data is still being finalized, but the Department has released trends for 410,000 degrees for the traditional exit certificate. The results of candidates with a certificate of abandonment are still being processed.
They show that after standardization, 79 percent of the school’s estimated grades remained unchanged, 4 percent of all school’s estimated grades increased, 16 percent of the school’s estimated grades were dropped by one grade and 0.1 percent of all school scores dropped by two or more grades.
Contrary to the UK experience, schools in the Deis scheme of the Department of Education for disadvantaged communities were more likely to have their grades unchanged or improved.
The grade inflation that will emerge on Monday will see an increase in CAO points for many courses, but the opening of 1,250 additional college places will go some way to meeting student expectations.
While many CAO applicants with a 2020 Leaving Cert will have the benefit of higher points, those who compete with them in previous years may be at a disadvantage.
This year’s generous results will also influence the university selection process in 2021, and perhaps beyond, giving 2020 candidates a competitive advantage.
The Department of Education deemed it a price worth paying to acknowledge the exceptional circumstances experienced by the students, who were forced to leave school in March and had their opportunity to sit for the June exams stolen.
Final judgments on the outcome of the calculated grade process will not emerge until after the grades are posted.
However, the Irish Universities Association welcomed the “emphasis placed on ensuring that students are treated fairly”.
The Higher Education Technology Association said they “were confident and supportive of the approach taken in assigning grades and providing additional seats to ensure that students are treated fairly and equitably, regardless of the year in which they completed their school education. second level “.
Helpline open from Monday
As the Leaving Cert results are released on Monday, the National Parent Council annual helpline 1800 265 165 will open to offer advice and support to students and parents.
It will be made up of members of the Institute of Guidance Counselors, who will provide personalized service to callers. The helpline, which runs through Saturday 12 September, is sponsored by the Department of Education and the Irish Independent / Independent.ie and is supported by Susi and GAA.
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