New figures show which Fife school was worst hit by downgraded exam results chaos

Kirkcaldy High School saw 39 per cent of Highers adjusted down, while at Levenmouth Academy, over 37 per cent of Higher grades were lowered.

The data was supplied by the SQA through an FOI request by Glasgow University researcher Barry Black.

The new school-by-school figures show the system which replaced cancelled exams this spring was particularly unfair on young people in Scotland’s most deprived communities.

The system of moderating estimated grades submitted by teachers unfairly disadvantaged pupils who attended schools with lower historical records, regardless of the individual pupil’s own history of achievement.

The figures, highlighted by Fife’s Green MSP Mark Ruskell, come after a report at the end of August revealed the Fife schools worst hit by downgraded exam results chaos.

A review into the controversial issue, presented to Fife Council’s policy and co-ordination committee, revealed the biggest losers as a greater proportion of awards with a reduced grade went to pupils from Fife’s most deprived areas.

Levenmouth Academy had the the largest percentage of reduced grades in the region with 37.8 per cent of all grades reduced in initial SQA results.

While schools which showed grade reductions of over 30 per cent included Kirkcaldy High School, Levenmouth Academy, Queen Anne High School High School, Auchmuty High School, Glenwood High School and Lochgelly High School.

https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/crime/motorbike-and-4x4-drivers-rip-land-fife-wind-farm-3010342

Commenting on the latest data, Rector of Kirkcaldy High Derek Allan said: “It is well accepted the original basis of the awards this year was seriously flawed and I know that our staff, kids and their families were pleased that the Scottish Government had a rethink, apologised and decided to accept teacher judgement rather than a computer programme.

"It was very disappointing at first. For the teachers, it did feel like a lack of trust.

“I'm pleased to note that the SQA have new arrangements for 2021 and have given a commitment they will not resort to computerised modelling again.

"For me, artificial intelligence and "big data" have their place in business, advertising or scientific research purposes.

"However, when it comes down to individual life chances, especially of kids from the most disadvantaged backgrounds, we need a more humane process. I think we've now been guaranteed that.”

When asked why he thought Kirkcaldy High was shown to be the worst affected school, Mr Allan believes it comes down to year on year variation in attainment of different cohorts, plus the "deprivation factor".

He added: “Research shows that it was the schools with the highest free school meals entitlement (FME) which were most badly affected. We are a high FME school.

"I doubt that it was intentional, but it was an undoubted consequence of using predictive data (based on previous cohorts) rather than real time holistic assessment of individual young people.”

Meanwhile Fife’s Green MSP Mark Ruskell said: "Pupils at Kirkcaldy High School and across the country were treated like statistics rather than people and judged more on their postcode than their abilities.

“Fortunately, Green MSPs were able to negotiate a solution which saw all 124,565 grades restored and the independent inquiry we secured has now published its findings, so there is no excuse for this to happen again.”

Thank you for reading this article on our free-to-read website. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

Please consider purchasing a subscription to our print newspaper to help fund our trusted, fact-checked journalism.

https://www.localsubsplus.co.uk/nord/dm/FFP/V