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Online exams marking questioned Online exams marking questioned
(about 1 hour later)
Increased online marking of exam papers could be linked to rising numbers of inaccurate exam grades, the National Association of Head Teachers says.Increased online marking of exam papers could be linked to rising numbers of inaccurate exam grades, the National Association of Head Teachers says.
The association is collecting evidence of inaccurate results and demands for papers to be marked again.The association is collecting evidence of inaccurate results and demands for papers to be marked again.
This year, 40% of A-level papers were marked online. One board, Edexcel, says all its papers will be next year.This year, 40% of A-level papers were marked online. One board, Edexcel, says all its papers will be next year.
But the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority denied that technology was "the main issue". But the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority said technology should make assessment easier.
Teachers at Tolworth School, in Surrey, told the BBC they sent back unprecedented numbers of papers to be remarked this year as they were shocked at the grades many A-level and GCSE students received. Teachers at Tolworth School, in Surrey, told the BBC they had sent back unprecedented numbers of papers to be remarked this year as they were shocked at the grades many A-level and GCSE students received.
'Inexplicable' Student Katie Davison thinks she was affected.
Natalie Osborne, exams officer at the school, said: "Some of the results have been inexplicable... we have had a 100% increase in enquiries." She said: "I got two As and a D in the third paper which was completely unexpected and I was not happy with it at all but it means that I can't go to university with that D grade."
Clarissa Williams, of the National Association of Head Teachers, said: "Talking to my colleagues at the NAHT, there are many schools where there are problems; there seems to be a pattern. My own association is gathering that evidence right now." Pattern
Former exam marker Margaret Tomkins told the BBC she found that papers could not be marked online with "integrity", and so she resigned. Clarissa Williams, the school's head teacher and a member of the National Association of Head Teachers, said: "Talking to my colleagues at the NAHT, there are many schools where there are problems; there seems to be a pattern. My own association is gathering that evidence right now."
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, which oversees the exams, says online marking is not a problem. There's a question whether or not online marking is missing some of the achievements of youngsters John BangsNUT
Isabell Nisbett, from the QCA, said: "The technology is not the main issue.... but we will look at every complaint." Former exam marker Margaret Tomkins told the BBC she had found papers could not be marked online with "integrity", and so she had resigned.
John Bangs, head of education at the National Union of Teachers, said legitimate questions had been raised and the use of technology should not diminish the professionalism of teachers in the exam process.
But the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, which oversees the exams, says online marking is not a problem.
Isabel Nisbet, director of regulations and standards at the QCA, said: "We are about making sure assessment is good - that it's properly done, it's properly checked, it's properly supervised and actually technology should make that easier.
"The days of soggy parcels outside the teachers' houses have gone and it should be a way to support much greater supervision and checking."