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Last update: 07/03/2016

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Severe Grading in MFL: Home Page

How do grades in languages compare with grades in other subjects?

Click on the links below.  They will either go to separate pages giving detailed information and support (from which there will be a download) or directly to a downloadable document.

Webinar on the  current situation Feb 2015 (Webinar number 10)

Situation September 2013 

What is severe grading?

Detailed paper on Severe Grading

Useful points for discussing/analysing exam results

Process & related articles (chronological - most recent on top)

 

Quick link to Current Situation:  Updated 6th March 2016 

 

 

What is severe grading?

Analysis of national data by Ofqual, DfE and other organisations compares the grades obtained by pupils in modern languages (esp French, German and Spanish) with the grades in other subjects. This shows clearly that pupils of the same prior attainment will, on average, obtain lower grades in languages than other common subjects at GCSE.  

Because this data is drawn from Ofqual, JCQ, DfE, Ofsted and other official and independent sources, it will be invaluable for members preparing for Performance Management and annual Examination Analysis (including discussion with Heads and Governors) and for Ofsted inspections / Self Evaluation processes.  

The situation at AS and A/L is more complex and covers a range of issues, but these are still very much matters of concern. We refer here to "severe and unpredictable grading".  There is an overall issue of grades in French, German and Spanish being lower than most other facilitating subjects apart from Maths and Sciences.  There is a particular issue at A* with the proportion of A* grades relative to A & A* grades being much lower than all facilitating subjects.  There is also an issue with the rank order of students not being in line with teacher expectation ("unreliable grading").  This was recognised by Ofqual and specifically addressed in their Sept 2014 report [PUT HYPERLINK] and action has been taken

Ofqual are now officially looking at the whole topic of Inter-Subject Comparability (ISC)   [PUT HYPERLINK], and we are very much hoping that action will be taken.

 

Detailed Paper on Severe Grading

9th April 2006

Paper

4 page statement followed by detailed appendices giving sophisticated analysis of KS3. KS4, AS and A level results

Click here to download this as a word document.

 

Useful points for discussing / analysing ML results

 

Statements

Sample statements which may be helpful when explaining the situation to colleagues, managers and OFSTED

 

 

Process & related articles.  Most recent on top.

 

 

February 2016

Presentation by Nick Mair (ISMLA) at Ofqual conference on Inter-subject comparability (ISC)

PowerPoint: PPT Ofqual ISC conf Feb16 for website.pptx

 

February 2016

FFT DataLab Blog by Dave Thomson

Which are the most difficult subjects at GCSE?

Link to article

 "Law and astronomy although there are very few entries each year. The much bigger issue is that GCSEs in modern foreign languages are graded more severely than other subjects"

 

December 2015

New Story from Ofqual: - Can different GCSE and A level subjects be compared accurately?   (Inter-subject comparability) [link embedded]

 The six working papers published by Ofqual are:

1. Comparability of Different GCSE and A level Subjects in England: An introduction.

2. Inter-Subject Comparability: A Review of the Technical Literature.

3. Inter-Subject Comparability of Examination Standards in GCSE and GCE.

4. Inter-Subject Comparability: An International Review.

5. A Recent History of Regulatory Perspectives on Inter-Subject Comparability in England.

6. Exploring Implications of Policy Options Concerning Inter-Subject Comparability.

 

September 2015

GCSE results - June 2015

Numbers and graphs updated to include June 2015 results:

GCSE ML Sept15 update - graphs.pdf

GCSE ML Sept15 update - numbers.pdf

 A/L results - June 2015

Numbers and graphs updated to include June 2015 results:

AL ML Sept15 update v1a - graphs.pdf

AL ML Sept15 update v1a - AL nos.pdf

 Analysis and comment on the A* figures for June 2015:

ALL website on A star Aug 2015.docx

AL ML Sept15 update v1a - A star 2013-15.pdf

 

September 2015

ML AL grade boundaries for June 2014

This document includes an explanation of how the A* boundary is set.  Note that the Ofqual Report publ in Sept 2014 uses the Jun 2013 results, so this document is a useful update.

ML AL grade boundaries for June 2014 for AQA + others - v4b.docx

 

September 2014

Ofqual Report:  Exploration of Assessment Quality Issues in A Level Modern Foreign Languages - Technical Report

This looked in detail at all the factors at A/L from content through to assessment (questions) to marking to grading that contribute to variability (some typical, others undesirable)

http://ofqual.gov.uk/news/improvements-made-level-foreign-languages  

Our summary (Sept 2014): "Guide to Ofqual Technical Report for ALL+ISMLA website as sent.docx"

 Our note out to schools in June 2015: "Update to schools and colleges about AL ML exams Summer 2015 - as sent v2a.docx"

 

July 2014

JCQ Report:  A review of Modern Foreign Languages at A level: A* grade and low take up

http://www.jcq.org.uk/media-centre/news-releases/mfl-review-press-notice

 Paper 1: The decline in uptake of A-level Modern Foreign Languages: literature review (Dr Debra Malpass)

Paper 2: Attitudes towards Modern Foreign Languages (Ipsos MORI)

Paper 3: A-level Modern Foreign Languages: why so few A*s? (Ben Jones, Beth Black & Christine Wong)

Paper 4: A-level Modern Foreign Languages: assessment instruments and script analysis (Beth Black)  

Our summary: "Key Points from JCQ Report into AL ML and A star - July 2014.docx"

September 2013 Summary of situation regarding "severe grading" in GCSE ML - Sep 13: 
Link to page
Download word document

Summary of situation regarding "severe grading" in ML (Timeline and overview)

Link to page
Download word document

GCSE Figures from JCQ

Download word document
August 2012 Click for hyperlinks to page or download

A Level:

Severe grading at A level - general overview: Page

Analysis of A Level results June 2012: Page | Download word doc

A Level A* issue 2012: Page | Download word doc

Excel spreadsheet Statistics from JCQ: Download s/sheet

 August 2011 All pages below
Severe Grading: GCSE Page
Word document Summary of analysis of ML figures for GCSE 2011 (updated March 2012) 
GCSE 2011 Numbers  Page and comments including A* issue
Severe Grading: A level Page
A Level A* issue Page 2011
AS/A2 Numbers Page

Downloads:

Word document Summary of analysis of ML figures for GCSE 2011
Word document report and comment on GCSE 2011 incl concern about proportion of GCSE top grades ; 
GCSE Numbers spreadsheet download
PDF ALL report on A levels
Word document A level A* issue 2011; 
AS/A2 Numbers - extract spreadsheet download
AS/A2 Numbers -  full spreadsheet download

Some external links
Alarm over decline in pupils studying languages: www.independent.co.uk
Interview with Nick Gibb: www.bbc.co.uk
Nick Gibb comments on A-Level results: www.wired-gov.net
-GCSE results 2011: One in four entries gets A or A*: www.guardian.co.uk
-GCSE results - live blog: www.telegraph.co.uk
September 2010 BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, 15/09/10.  Helen Myers invited to talk about Severe Grading following Flashmeeting organised by Joe Dale.

Webpage with context, weblink and embedded audio file. 

 August 2010
GCSE Numbers  Page
AS/A2 Numbers Page
A Level A* issue Page
Severe Grading: GCSE Page
Severe Grading: A level Page
Downloads:Word document Summary of analysis of ML figures for GCSE and AS/A2 Modern Languages, 2010
GCSE Numbers spreadsheet download
AS/A2 Numbers spreadsheet download

Some media links
BBC News Story link 'GCSE Results: Trends Explained (25.08.10)
BBC News story link: Watchdog to investigate alternative exams (27.08.10) [Ofqual investigation]
Link to TES article 'Languages decline deepens'

Link to Independent article 'Class divide opens up in teaching of languages'

October 20th 2008 Ofqual seminar on inter-subject comparability:

Powerpoint: Presentation

Document: Accompanying text

Document: Report on seminar from Helen Myers

September 4th 2008  Document: Guidance on raising queries about GCSE grading
August 23rd 2008 Document: 'How to compare your results in ML' - informal guidance following a question on TES forum. 
August 23rd 2008 ALL press release following publication of GCSE results
August 21st 2008 ASCL press release following publication of GCSE results
August 21st 2008 Published statistics on numbers doing GCSE June 08 and grades obtained
February 20th 2008 Press release from ALL, ASCL & ISMLA

 

February 19th 2008 QCA report  'Grade standards in GCSE modern foreign languages'  

This document provides QCA's response to Lord Dearing's view that the award of grades in GCSE languages is more demanding than for most other subjects.

BBC article. reporting on QCA report + press release.

January 2008 Reply from Christine Gilbert (HMIC i/c OFSTED) in response to letter from John Dunford about the impact of CVA on schools with compulsory languages.
November 2007 Reply from Ken Boston to letter on severe grading.
November 2007 Letter to Mr Jim Knight on severe grading and change in profile
November 5th 2007 LibDem written question put by David Laws
November 5th 2007 'Modern language GCSEs lowest in years' article in Guardian reporting on written Parliamentary Question from David Laws
October 2007 Letter on Change in Profile and Impact on Grading
October 2007 Letter on Severe Grading sent to Ed Balls, Ken Boston,Lid King and Ron Dearing  from 80 Language Colleges at Language College Conference, Oxford
September 2007 2003-2007 points to grades AQA French Linear Grids
August 2007 Published statistics on numbers doing GCSE June 07 and grades obtained
June 4th 2007

 

 

Response from Alan Johnson to letter sent in May

Letter from Alan Johnson to say that he has asked the QCA to conduct a review and is awaiting their advice on whether or not to change grade boundaries.

Link to download pdf here

May 9th 2007

Letter urging Alan Johnson to respond immediately to the Dearing recommendation regarding severe grading

Letter sent to Alan Johnson from ASCL, signed by John Dunford (ASCL), Duncan Byrne (ISMLA), David Mansfield (SSAT) and David Wilson (ALL)

Page 1

Page 2

March 12th 2007 'Too hard' modern language GCSEs may be made easier

Guardian article following publication of Dearing Review

March 2007  GCSE French comparability study 2004-2005

(QCA) 

March 2007

 

Powerpoint presentation online relating to ASCL conference, March 2007

Powerpoint presentation used by Dr Robert Coe at the ASCL conference - link to site

March 10th  2007

 

BBC News article from ASCL conference reporting on Dr Coe's presentation to the conference. 

Some GCSEs 'easier than others' - web page

Pasted into word document. 

 Extracts:

Pupils who opt for "easier" subjects such as sport or drama rather than sciences or languages could achieve higher GCSE grades, research suggests.

A Durham University study concludes some subjects are easier than others - because of the way exams are graded.

What is severe grading?

A detailed study has been carried out using national data in order to compare the grades obtained by pupils in languages with the grades in other subjects. This shows clearly that pupils of the same prior attainment will, on average, obtain lower grades in languages than other subjects at both GCSE and AS/A level.

Because this data is drawn from PANDA and DCSF sources, it will be invaluable for members preparing for Performance Management, Threshold Applications, annual Examination Analysis (including discussion with Heads and Governors) and OFSTED/Self Evaluation Form.

The outcomes from the study have been endorsed by the recently published research from the Durham University Curriculum Evaluation and Management Centre (home of ALIS and midYIS, Yellis, PIPS) and reported in the Times Educational Supplement 31st March 2006.

October 2006

 

Proposal following meeting

Proposal

October 2006

 

ALL / QCA / Exam Boards Meeting report

Report of meeting held between representatives of ALL, QCA and exam boards in October 2006

 

March 31st 2006

 

Addenda to original statement

Additional paragraphs to be inserted into original statement following further analysis in light of CEM analysis (post 31.3.06)

March 31st 2006

 

Drama and PE are soft options' - TES

(link to be added)

Study from Durham CEM challenges exam chiefs' claims that every subject is equally difficult.  'They concluded that, students, whatever their ability, would be more likely to achieve good grades in subjects such as drama and P, than in science and languages' 

January 2006

 

Original statement  original (Jan 06)

3 page statement followed by detailed appendices giving sophisticated analysis of KS3. KS4, AS and A level results

October 5th 2004

 

Language Barrier - The Guardian

Report of drop in take-up at KS4, includes comments on comparison of grades achieved by pupils in different subjects

June 2004  A Level Regression statistics + graph

Download excel spreadsheet here

Powerpoint slide showing graph plotting 

"difference between the subject grade and the average of other subjects taken by the same pupils" 

"the average score in other subjects.". 

The graph forms a clear pattern from top-left to bottom-right with French and German at the extreme bottom-right (along with Maths and Sciences) - it is perhaps no surprise that on average, those who do French get the highest average A level scores ..

Download graph here

June 2004 PANDA Relative Performance Index for A level 2004 - raw data before turned into a graph

Download excel spreadsheet of data here.