Remit
The Education and Skills Committee agreed to consider the impact of Covid-19 on the exam diet in 2020 and going forward the possible impact on the exam diet in 2021.
Timetable
2021
March 2021
3 March 2021
The Committee heard evidence from representatives of the SQA, Education Scotland and the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland on the phased return to school, the exam diet and the latest impact of the lockdown on learning and teaching.
You can view the video of the meeting here.
The Committee received the following submissions:
The Committee received a letter from the Office for Statistics Regulation regarding a review by the OSR into the approach to developing statistical models for awarding grades in the UK in 2020. Read the letter below.
The Convener wrote to the Scottish Qualifications Authority, Education Scotland and the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland regarding several points raised in the meeting on 3 March 2021. Read the letter and the response from the SQA and Education Scotland.
February 2021
The Convener wrote to the EIS, NASUWT and the SSTA regarding guidance and challenges for individual subjects which is following on from the meeting on 3 February with the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills.
The Convener wrote to the SQA following the Committee meeting on 3 February 2021 with the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills wrote to the Committee to provide an update on the approach to assessing National Qualifications this year and the support for teachers and lecturers who will be involved in delivering them.
January 2021
13 January 2021
The Committee heard evidence from two panels on the latest impact of the lockdown on learning and teaching. These panels had representatives of the SQA, Education Scotland and Teaching Unions.
You can view the meeting here.
Following on from the meeting on 13 January 2021. The Convener wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills and to the SQA and Education Scotland. The letters to and the responses from the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, the SQA and Education Scotland can be read below.
The Committee received further information about remote learning from Education Scotland. You can read the letter below.
Submissions
The following submissions where received
12 January 2021
Members of the Committee held a focus group with Young People ahead of the Committee meeting with the SQA and Education Scotland. You can read the notes from the focus group below.
Exam diet 2020 post results
12 August 2020
The Committee heard evidence on Wednesday 12 August from the Scottish Qualifications Authority regarding the exam results and the moderation process.
You can view the video of the meeting here
The Committee wrote to key stakeholders regarding sending in a submission for the meeting with the Scottish Qualifications Authority regarding the exam results and the moderation process. The following submissions have been received.
Following the Committee’s evidence session with the SQA on 12th August 2020 on the exam diet and results 2020, the Committee wrote to the SQA on 20 August 2020 seeking clarity on a number of issues raised in evidence. you can read the letter to the SQA and the response.
The Convener wrote to Professor Mark Priestley on the upcoming short term review on the events following the cancellation of the exam diet and the alternative certification model put in place by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). You can read the letter below.
11 November 2020
The Committee heard evidence from Professor Mark Priestley and Dr Marina Shapira on the National Qualifications Experience 2020- Rapid Review Report and then from the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills on the Exam diet.
You can view the video of the meeting here.
The following submissions have been received in response to the report.
The Convener wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills to follow-up on various points raised during the meeting on 11 November. The letter from the Convener and the response from the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills can be read below.
Exam Diet 2020- pre-results
1 May 2020
At its meeting on the 1 May 2020 the Committee heard evidence from the SQA on the impact on exams and assessment in 2020.
You can view a video of the meeting here.
Following the Committee’s evidence session with the SQA on 1st May on the cancellation of the exam diet, the Committee wrote to the SQA on 8 May seeking clarity on a number of issues raised in evidence. you can read the letter to the SQA and their response below.
The Committee has written to the Equality and Human Rights Commission on the evidence given by the SQA. Read the letter and the response from the Equality and Human rights Commission.
The Convener wrote to the Chief executive of the Scottish Qualifications Authority regarding the exam diet. The letter from the Convener and the response from the SQA are noted below.
Children and Young People Commissioner Scotland
The Head of Advice and Investigations at the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland has written to the SQA following the publication of our independent Children’s Rights Impact Assessment.
Submissions and Focus Group Notes
The Committee held three focus groups with teachers and received the following submission from individual teachers and organisations. The notes and submissions are below.
The Committee received the following submissions from teachers and trade unions in relation to a number of questions in relation the SQA and this years exam diet.
Submissions from individual teachers
Submissions from teaching unions
Scottish Youth Parliament
The Committee also received feedback from Young people with the help of the Scottish Youth Parliament in partnership with YouthLink and YoungScot We also received feedback from the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland. This feedback can be read below.
Submissions received since 1st May 2020