Using predicted grades in place of this year’s summer assessments could deepen the existing inequality in education and put the future of disadvantaged young people at risk if not correctly implemented, David Isaac, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission has warned.
We have submitted our response to Ofqual’s consultation on the qualification regulator’s decision to cancel a range of exams and assessments across England due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In our response to Ofqual, as Britain’s equality watchdog, we warned the use of predicted grades could have a lasting effect on young people from certain ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled pupils and those with special educational needs, who are already often disadvantaged compared to their friends.
Research suggests there may be patterns of conscious or unconscious race bias when predicting grades. With this in mind, there is a danger that predicted grading may have an adverse impact on some disadvantaged groups.
Chair of the Equality Human Rights Commission David Isaac said: