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State Examinations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020

Wednesday, 27 May 2020

Questions (120, 133, 213, 218, 276)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

120. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the meaning of teachers' estimated marks from each school being adjusted to bring them into line with the expected distribution for the school; if this means that the previous year's results of a school will have an input on 2020 results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7164/20]

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Thomas Byrne

Question:

133. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure the involvement of independent expert advice in the development of the model which will be used within his Department to adjust calculated grades; if such a consultation has already taken place, the nature of the consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7182/20]

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John Brady

Question:

213. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the person or body that designed the system outlined in the document A Guide to Calculated Grades for Leaving Certificate students 2020; and if alternatives were considered. [7737/20]

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John Brady

Question:

218. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the function of ranking students in the calculated grades system; the reason this is necessary; and if alternatives were or still can be considered. [7742/20]

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Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

276. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details in relation to the calculated grades system; the percentage mark provided by the teacher; the reason it cannot be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8032/20]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 120, 133, 213, 218 and 276 together.

A Calculated Grade is a grade that can be provided to students following the combination of school information about a student’s expected performance in an examination and national data available in relation to the performance of students in examinations over a period of time.

A calculated grade results from the combination of two data sets:

- A school-based estimation of an overall percentage mark and ranking to be awarded to a student in a particular subject.

- Data available from the State Examinations Commission – this includes data on past performance of students in each school and nationally.

The combination of these data sets through a process of national standardisation can determine the grade to be awarded to each student in each subject, thereby resulting in a calculated grade.

Full details regarding the operation of the Calculated Grades system, including National Standardisation have been issued to schools and students.

The National Standardisation process used will not impose any predetermined score on any individual or class.

My Department has been engaging with the expertise and professional experience that is available including through the Advisory Group. The calculated grades model has been developed with the advice and expertise of my own Department’s staff, including the professional expertise of the Inspectorate, the State Examinations Commission, the Education Research Centre as well as an international expert, Dr. Fernando Cartwright, formerly of Statistics Canada.

An independent Steering Committee chaired by Dr. Áine Lawlor, former Director of the Teaching Council, will oversee the quality and integrity of the calculated grades system.

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