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New marking hitch for Sats tests New marking hitch for Sats tests
(about 21 hours later)
There has been a problem with the marking of this year's Sats tests in England, with "good markers" being stopped from checking papers.There has been a problem with the marking of this year's Sats tests in England, with "good markers" being stopped from checking papers.
Extra examiners have been drafted in to mark the English test papers after flaws in the way markers were checked led to good markers being turned away.Extra examiners have been drafted in to mark the English test papers after flaws in the way markers were checked led to good markers being turned away.
Exams agency the QCA has accepted responsibility, saying everything is being done to mark papers on time.Exams agency the QCA has accepted responsibility, saying everything is being done to mark papers on time.
The tests were taken by 600,000 10 and 11-year-olds in England last month.The tests were taken by 600,000 10 and 11-year-olds in England last month.
Last year's Sats marking turned into chaos. Many results were severely delayed, the company contracted to do the marking - ETS Europe - was sacked, and the QCA was criticised by the government. One marker told the BBC News website on condition of anonymity that after 15 years' marking with grade A efficiency, Edexcel had phoned him out of the blue and told him to stop marking, without giving a reason.
"After waiting in limbo for four days I was again contacted by Edexcel. Again, no information as to why I had been told to stop marking. Instead, the caller wanted to make sure I had arranged to return the scripts."
The marker has since been contacted and asked to continue.
Another marker said:
"I'm another examiner who has had a clean bill of health at every stage over the last two years and passed my standardisation this year with a B grade.
"I have had my benchmarking referred and have been asked to stop marking.
"I am really angry about this," he said.
'Discrepancy'
Last year's Sats marking turned into chaos. Many results were severely delayed, the company contracted to do the marking - ETS Europe - was sacked, and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) was criticised by the government inquiry.
We are working hard to deliver results on time QCA spokesmanWe are working hard to deliver results on time QCA spokesman
This year's marking is being run by Edexcel but it was the QCA (Qualifications and Curriculum Authority) which had responsibility for approving tests used to check markers are good enough. This year's marking is being run by Edexcel but it was the QCA which had responsibility for approving tests used to check that markers are good enough.
It says there was a "discrepancy" on the test which could have made it confusing to mark. The QCA says there was a "discrepancy" on the test which could have made it confusing to mark.
In a statement, a spokesman for the QCA said: "Marking is well underway and we are working hard to deliver results on time. In a statement, a spokesman said: "Marking is well underway and we are working hard to deliver results on time.
"We have had some quality assurance issues with English papers, but these are now being addressed and marking of these continue."We have had some quality assurance issues with English papers, but these are now being addressed and marking of these continue.
"We are recruiting additional markers throughout the test cycle and also have a number of contingency plans in place to increase the marking workforce if necessary.""We are recruiting additional markers throughout the test cycle and also have a number of contingency plans in place to increase the marking workforce if necessary."
The agency said extra markers had been recruited in preparation for this year's tests to cover for any who did not pass the quality checks and that recruitment "would continue throughout the test cycle". The authority said extra markers had been recruited in preparation for this year's tests to cover for any who did not pass the quality checks and that recruitment "would continue throughout the test cycle".
Recently, markers writing in online chat rooms have complained that quality checks were delaying their marking and that experienced markers had been turned away. Recently, markers writing in online forums have complained that quality checks were delaying their marking and that experienced markers had been turned away.
The mistake will raise questions over marking standards and the possibility of results being delayed again. It has raised questions over marking standards and the possibility of results being delayed again.
Are you a marker? Have you experienced any problems? Are you a marker? Have you experienced any problems?
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions