Question reference: S5W-35820
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 8 March 2021
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Current status: Answered by John Swinney on 17 March 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of schools not re-opening on a full-time basis until after the Easter holidays, how teachers will be able to gather sufficient evidence to produce estimated grades by the deadline in June 2021.
Answer
The priority at this time should be on learning and teaching to ensure that learners consolidate their learning and have sufficient course coverage prior to assessment.
On 16 February, the National Qualifications 2021 Group issued an update to the Alternative Certification Model providing clarity on the assessment approach to be adopted this year. The revised model included a further extension to the submission date for provisional results to 25 June to provide more time for learning and teaching and gathering of evidence.
SQA has reduced the evidence requirements for each National Course to the minimum to preserve the validity and public confidence in the qualifications. In addition, SQA published 116 subject-specific guidance documents across National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses to support teachers and lecturers in gathering key assessment evidence as the basis for provisional results. Teachers will be using a holistic approach and a range of evidence to determine the provisional results. They also have the flexibility to assess learners at times and in ways that are appropriate to their needs.