Teacher Knows Best
Daily Record|August 12, 2020
Swinney revokes downgraded exam results & promises grades will be based on estimates
Paul Hutcheon
Teacher Knows Best

About 75,000 school pupils breathed a sigh of relief yesterday after forcing John Swinney to reinstate 125,000 grades that were lowered during the results fiasco.

The humbled Education Secretary apologised to those affected and said the downgrades would be reversed, with marks now based on the original estimates of their teachers.

He made the U-turn after Labour backed a motion of no confidence in him in a vote set to take place tomorrow.

However, his job may be safe after the Greens said they would not support the attempt to oust him.

After the cancellation of exams, final marks were based on teacher judgment and a national “moderation” system devised by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

However, the moderation process was based on how schools performed in the past, rather than reflecting the pupils’ own efforts.

Nearly 125,000 grade reductions disproportionately hit young people from poorer backgrounds and more than 75,000 pupils had one or more grades reduced.

The system infuriated parents and pupils and the SNP Government faced one of its biggest crises since winning power in 2007.

This story is from the August 12, 2020 edition of Daily Record.

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This story is from the August 12, 2020 edition of Daily Record.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.