There was no evidence of teacher bias in the assessment of vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs) this year, exams regulator Ofqual has said. Equalities analysis of this year’s results found no evidence of bias towards one group over another, but did identify some “small changes” in the results of some groups of students which are observed in normal years, “which may reflect the impact of the pandemic”.
Male students were slightly less likely to achieve top grades compared with females, the analysis of the 2021 results showed. In 2019, males were on average 1.5 per cent less likely to achieve top grades than females in 2019 - but that increased to 4.2 per cent in 2020, and then again to 5.9 per cent in 2021.
For applied general qualifications - which includes Btecs - there was also a small increase in the attainment gap over time for learners assigned to the “very low” prior attainment group. “The learners assigned to the ‘very low’ prior attainment group were on average 2.7 per cent less likely to achieve top grades compared to their middle ability peers in 2019. This difference increased to 6.8 per cent in 2020, increasing slightly to 8.6 per cent in 2021. Some small increase in the attainment gap over time between high and medium prior attainment learners was also observed.”
In its analysis of grades awarded in vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs) this year, Ofqual said many vocational qualifications at Level 3 had seen an increase in the proportion of top grades being issued this year.
The exams regulator said there had been an overall increase in the volumes of Level 3 entries for applied general qualifications, other VTQ performance table qualifications and other general qualifications, following a similar increase in 2020. “This is primarily due to a rise in entries for applied general qualifications,” said Ofqual.
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The regulator said there had not been any substantial changes to grade distributions across Level 3 VTQs, “suggesting general stability across 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021”.
However, in terms of the proportions of top grades issued, Ofqual said the patterns of changes were “varied”. “In many Level 3 qualifications, the proportions of top grades being issued has increased. However, for some applied generals, the proportion of top grades has slightly decreased, following an increase between 2019 and 2020.
Modular qualifications
Vocational qualifications are frequently modular and assessment typically happens throughout the course of study. They also tend to have a high proportion of teacher assessment. This year, due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, assessment for VTQs and other general qualifications had to be adapted. While in many cases, VTQ results were determined using normal assessment methods, some learners carried forward centre assessed Grades from 2020 for some units or components. Meanwhile, some results were determined through adapted assessments, including remote invigilation, and others have been decided wholly, or in part, using teacher assessed grades like those used for A levels and GCSEs.
A spokesperson for the Joint Council for Qualifications said: “We would like to congratulate all students who have received their vocational and technical results. You should all be very proud of your achievements throughout the year and of the remarkable resilience you have shown.
“JCQ and the VTQ awarding organisations are very grateful for the enormous effort schools, colleges and other providers have put in to determining grades for their students this year. To make sure that teacher assessed grades were awarded as fairly and appropriately as possible, the exam boards quality assured the approach used by schools and colleges following principles set out by Ofqual in the Vocational and Technical Qualifications Contingency Regulatory Framework (VCRF).
“Students can have confidence that government, awarding organisations, schools, colleges and universities have worked together so that their grades best prepare them to succeed in the next stage of their education, training or in employment. As in every year, an appeals process is in place. Students with queries should contact their school or college in the first instance to discuss this.”
