Madam, – I was disheartened to read your Front page article regarding the findings of a report on grade inflation at the Leaving Certificate level (June 7th). As a Leaving Cert student with a mere 48 hours left (at the time of writing this) until the exams commence, I was dismayed to read about these statistics and what they might mean for me. It seems increasingly likely that our exams may be marked harder this year to show that the relevant bodies are “taking action”. It would be nice instead to see them making an effort to reduce students’ incredible dependency on grinds, which I believe is the main factor that has contributed to rising grades.
This is a very worrying thought as I come to the end of my struggles with algebra, aistí, cash budgets and Kavanagh’s sonnets. After two years of arduous preparation, will my chances of achieving high grades be diminished due to the Government, Department of Education and State Examination Commission bowing to pressure? While it can be argued that any tightening of grades would balance itself out under our points system, this is no comfort to the many students, myself included, and who have applied to UK universities. Our grade requirements remain the same! In addition to this, how can the Leaving Cert class of 2010 compete against students who sat the exam last year but are applying for college this year? I understand that pre-Leaving Cert hype is an annual event, but I think that the coverage should have a more positive approach.
As stressed-out students we need support, not scare tactics!- Yours, etc,
Madam, – I was annoyed and dismayed on reading the article on grade inflation (Front page, June 7th). Was this article so important that it had to be printed on the front page two days before students begin their Leaving Certificate exams? In previous weeks you have given guidance on keeping our children calm and focused in the run up to the exams and many parents have been following this diligently. Surely the placing and timing of this article will undo much of this good work. A case of not practising what you preach? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Everything should be done at this moment to keep this year’s Leaving Cert students calm and collected. So why is the State Examination Commission releasing such a statement about grade inflation (Front page, June 7th) at this time, less than two days before the Leaving Cert begins? I can imagine many Leaving Cert students becoming worryingly obsessed with this statement, especially as they sit down to begin English Paper One this week. Has the commission no logic, or sense? – Yours, etc,