Almost 80% of Leaving Cert student’s estimated grades will remain the same – Minister for Education Norma Foley has announced.
The remainder will be either reduced (17%) or increased (4%). However, overall, Minister Foley said the results, which will be released on Monday September 7, would be ‘stronger’ this year.
At a press conference at Government Buildings, Minister for Education Norma Foley said this move was the fairest and most appropriate way to calculate students’ grades.
She said teachers estimated grades will be the “core” of students results. However, she said results will be standardised – or adjusted – to ensure students are treated fairly.
Kildare Senator Fiona O’Loughlin has welcomed today’s announcement from the Minister for Education regarding the national standardisation process put in place to ensure that no student will be unfairly advantaged or disadvantaged in the Calculated Grades system.
The Rathangan native said: “We saw in the UK with their A- Level results the importance of being so careful with the calculated grades model and I am very pleased today to welcome the announcement from Minister Foley that school by school historical data has been removed from the standardisation model used by the Department.
“This means a greater emphasis will be placed on the estimated grades provided by schools for their students which is a fairer model.
“In addition to this, the Department have also agreed to provide 1250 additional higher education places for certain high demand courses for 2020/2021. I hope this will alleviate some of the anxiety and concerns expressed by students. This will have a cascade effect, creating more capacity in lower demand courses.
“Students will be able to access their Calculated Grades from the Student Portal on Monday 7th of September at 9am and I’d like to wish everyone the very best of luck.
“It was a very hard year to be a Leaving Certificate student with all of the uncertainty they experienced after schools closed.
“I have been in touch with various groups representing students and have been really impressed with how they have advocated for their peers in ensuring a fair outcome for all.
“The next important date after the 7th of September will be the first round of CAO offers which come out on the 11th of September for acceptance by the 16th.”
