Thread by @ChrisGiles_

A thread on:

Why we need an algorithm to help set A Level grades in 2021

(After the past week, I'm honestly not being obtuse)

1/

Yes, I understand that the choices made in this year's A level standardisation algorithm were disastrous....

2/

But as the FT editorial board and others have explained, this was much more a human rathen than an algorithmic failing

3/

ft.com/content/58dcbf…

You might want to make A Levels matter less for university entrance, but that is a policy for 2025 or after, not 2021
theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

4/

In 2021 we are going to have A Level candidates with vastly different experiences of Covid-19 education - through no fault of their own - sitting exams together

Private school kids advantaged...
... state school kids, especially in disadvantaged areas, losing out

5/

Ofqual said earlier this month, it could not rectify these differences through the exam system itself (It's right about this)
gov.uk/government/new…

6/

Ofqual is still thinking about what to do about grading

7/

After the past week, it will be tempted to say, "let the exams do the sorting" - we're not going to adjust grades up or down

That would be the wrong response, given the inequalities in Covid-19 education this year and a very high stakes A level system

8/

There is almost certain to be a need to be more lenient to deprived kids and those in state schools which weren't able to provide decent education during lockdown.

This can be done with an algorithm, bumping up grades of kids and schools that usually do better

9/

Ofqual should start consulting NOW. Get the @RoyalStatSoc involved. Talk to schools. Get everyone thinking about the fairest system.

The alternative is a new disaster next year with huge inequalities in outcome not reflective of students' abilities

10/

Full disclosure: I have a daughter in Y12 at a high-performing comprehensive. She will be fine (probably).

ENDS