THE STATE Examinations Commission (SEC) has defended the integrity of the Leaving Cert amid increasing concern that the exam is being dumbed down.
In a statement to The Irish Times, the SEC said the increase in Leaving Cert grades could be attributed to several factors, including more exam-orientated teaching and the introduction of more modern courses.
The SEC was responding to recent reports including one which tracked Leaving Cert grades across 24 subjects over almost two decades. This found the number of students gaining A and B grades in many higher-level subjects has nearly doubled since 1991. But the study, by two Institute of Technology Tralee academics, found little evidence to support higher academic standards.
There has also been a significant increase in the number of CAO points secured by students since 1995. The number of students securing the perfect Leaving Cert (600 CAO points) is up by 500 per cent, while the number getting 500 points or more is up by 125 per cent. The number getting between 400 and 499 points is up by 40 per cent and the number getting 400 points or more is up by 60 per cent.
In its statement, the SEC, which runs the exams, said several factors explain the rise.
In particular, it cited "teaching which is focused on the requirements of the examinations programme, access by students and teachers to all elements of the examination programme including past examination papers, the facility to view examination scripts, marking schemes and chief examiners' reports, and well-resourced and researched textbooks."
The SEC also says a number of syllabuses were revised and/or amended since 1989 to make content more student-friendly and more accessible. It also points out that statistical comparison with earlier figures becomes difficult because of these changes.
It says today's candidates are "better prepared, better supported and better resourced than ever before. Students and teachers prepare for the examinations in order to achieve the maximum results."
Several factors are thought to be responsible for the increased number of high grades, including the introduction of more project work in several subjects, where students tend to secure very high marks. The SEC's decision to allow teachers and students view marking schemes is also seen as a key factor.
Last week's study of Leaving Cert grades since 1991 suggested widespread grade inflation. Dr Brendan Guilfoyle, its co-author, said he found little evidence of higher academic standards. "The increase is simply grade inflation - higher grades being awarded more easily." Dr Guilfoyle's study revealed how the percentage gaining an A or B in higher-level English has doubled to 38 per cent. In geography the A and B rate is up from 20 per cent in 1991 to 41 per cent in 2006.
