As part of the ongoing public health situation, the SQA has published proposed amendments to the way candidates be assessed in the 2020-2021 session.
Given the inequitable circumstances which education found itself in during lockdown, and on the ongoing potential for candidates and teachers alike to self-isolate, as well as centres closing for deep cleaning, the SQA is seeking peoples’ views on how assessment might look over the next year.
The SQA has published a technical guidance document which sheds light on their proposals for assessment in each National Qualification subject in 2020-2021. Anyone who is interested can then respond via the official survey.
People who might wish to participate in the consultation have until Monday 24th August 2020 to complete the online survey.
As part of the proposed adjustments for National 5 Modern Studies, the SQA is suggesting that candidates are given further optionality in six mark questions. The SQA’s technical guidance suggests that there will be two options for each 6-mark question in next year’s exam, giving candidates the opportunity to decide which one they’ll answer.
The SQA argues that optionality already exists with the 8-mark questions in National 5 Modern Studies, and that by extending this to 6-mark questions will help candidates who might have missed course content. There is no proposal to amend or otherwise remove the Assignment, at this point.
For Higher Modern Studies, the SQA is proposing that candidates are given more optionality for all sections of Paper 1. The SQA’s technical guidance proposes that there be 4 questions for Section 1 of the paper, while Sections 2 and 3 could offer candidates 3 questions.
In a similar move to National 5, the SQA proposes that no changes are necessary for the Assignment, which “lends itself to blended learning”, according to the technical guidance document. There are no proposals to change Paper 2 of Higher Modern Studies.
At Advanced Higher, the SQA now proposes that candidates are offered two extended response questions for each topic, with candidates still expected to complete two separate topics. There are no proposed amendments to the methodology questions or dissertation.
Those interested can access the SQA’s technical guidance document here, while the survey can be completed via this link.
The Modern Studies Association invites Modern Studies teachers across Scotland to participate in our survey of how practitioners feel about the recent diet of Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) exams. The survey is open to both members and non-members, and can be completed below. Please be aware that all survey sections are optional to allow those teachers who do not teach a particular level to avoid answering unnecessary questions.
This survey is now closed. Thank you for your participation.
The Scottish Centre for Criminal Justice Research (SCCJR) is seeking the opinion of Modern Studies Teachers across Scotland.
The SCCJR is specifically seeking practitioners’ views on the range of learning resources that they have produced for pupils, schools and teachers.
The Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee is asking for your views.
As part of an inquiry into the recruitment and retention of teachers across Scotland, the Committee is asking for the opinions of Teachers, Trainee Teachers, Headteachers and other school staff.
Questions being considered as part of the inquiry include: