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Pupils can ask to see exam scripts
 Marked scripts are stored for future reference |
All pupils will be able to see their marked A-level and GSCE exam papers on request, it has been announced.
The move follows a pilot scheme, carried out in the summer by the Qualications and Curriculum Authority, when exam scripts were returned to a small number of schools and colleges.
The Education Secretary, David Blunkett, said the measure would be a substantial boost for freedom of information.
From next summer, all marked A-level scripts and some marked GCSE scripts will be available on request. All GCSE scripts will be available the following summer.
A system to ensure anonymity of exam centres will be introduced next year, and candidate anonymity will be piloted the following year.
'Secret garden of education'
Mr Blunkett was speaking at the annual conference of the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance, one of England's three exam boards.
He said: "Public exams represent for many the culmination of years of hard work. Access to exam scripts and the way in which they are marked helps to ensure that standards are being maintained, and allows students, their teachers and parents to be confident that results are a true reflection of attainment.
"Candidates have the right to see the information on how their performance was judged so that they can use the information positively to improve their performance over time. That is an essential element of opening up the secret garden of education, in a way in which performance tables have already achieved for school results.
"This access will also provide teachers with the opportunity to monitor effectiveness of their teaching strategies."
Analysis of the summer's pilot scheme showed that there was widespread lack of interest among candidates in seeing their marked papers, indicating that moves to return scripts to all pupils would not be worth the cost involved.
Most candidates expected to request to see their papers are likely to be those considering appealing against their grades.
Mr Blunkett said he welcomed a recent report by former Lord Chancellor, Lord Mackay of Clashfern, who was asked by exam board EdExcel to review the exam system.
Lord Mackay suggested that on appeal, examiners should be able to lower as well as raise marks.
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See also: | |
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 | 22 Oct 99 | Education |
| Exam scripts to be returned 'on request' |
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| 20 Aug 99 | exams99 |
| Students inspect marked papers |
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| 15 Jun 99 | Talking Point |
| Should students have the right to see their exam papers? |
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| 09 Jun 99 | Education |
| Students to see marked exam papers |
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Internet links: | |
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| Assessment and Qualifications Alliance |
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| Qualifications and Curriculum Authority |
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