My Pupils Results Are Finally Online

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My Pupils Results Are Finally Online, REALLY disappointed

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yamaha	Jul 19 2006, 02:10 PM Post #1
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 493 Joined: 30-April 04 Member No.: 1243	Hi This is a first for me, to complain about results but I've just received the lowest set of results ever (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) I had 11 candidates............. 1 x Grade 6 (who went first) 1 x Grade 4 1 x Grade 3 8 x Grade 1 All passed, not a single merit or distinction! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) I can't believe it, I'm so disappointed for my pupils who had all worked really hard! The only result which is what I expected was my Grade 6 candidate. The mark was exactly what I predicted actually but................ I dont think I've ever had a Grade 1 candidate just receive a pass ( no offence to those who are pleased with a pass) and all these pupils were, in my opininon, merit or distinction candidates (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) I dont know what to say to the parents and pupils, I dont want to upset them by saying that I am disappointed with the mark but at the same time, I don't want them to think I'm pleased with it either (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) I've emailed the board to ask them to double check to see if an error has been made (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

joyjoy	Jul 19 2006, 02:13 PM Post #2
Prodigy Group: Members Posts: 1326 Joined: 5-April 04 Member No.: 912	It's a shame that you feel that way, as you obviously worked really hard with your pupils. It is annoying when that happens and I think you've done right to email the board to double check, just in case. Maybe they had a tough examiner, or the nerves just really got to them? On the bright side, at least they've passed! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

JohnS	Jul 19 2006, 02:13 PM Post #3
Prodigy Group: Members Posts: 1554 Joined: 14-August 05 From: CV11 Member No.: 4453	How many candidates have you had in the past?

yamaha	Jul 19 2006, 02:18 PM Post #4
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 493 Joined: 30-April 04 Member No.: 1243	Yes, it could just be nerves but all of them? 8 x Grade 1 passes! I cant believe it! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Dont get me wrong, I'm delighted they have all passed of course but they all deserved much better marks. I feel sad for them (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) John, I've been teaching and entering candidates for nearly 10 years now so....... LOTS

joyjoy	Jul 19 2006, 02:26 PM Post #5
Prodigy Group: Members Posts: 1326 Joined: 5-April 04 Member No.: 912	QUOTE(yamaha @ Jul 19 2006, 03:18 PM) I feel sad for them (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) I can see where you are coming from, completely, if you thought they were capable of more, it really is a shame. But if it was me, I would encourage them to still be happy about the pass, as at the end of the day, they haven't failed have they? So it's not like they have to resit it again - so that's good! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) It is a shame though... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

andante_in_c	Jul 19 2006, 02:30 PM Post #6
Maestro Group: Members Posts: 10320 Joined: 15-November 03 From: Hampshire, UK Member No.: 130	Having had something similar happen to my students last term, I can sympathise. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) I was just relieved that the whole bunch were a secure lot, so they all managed 111 or more, but I was disappointed for them. However secure we feel in our teaching and predictions, a set of results like this can set ourselves questioning our judgement. Do you happen to know any other teachers who had this examiner? It might help to see if their marks were lower than expected too.

dacapo	Jul 19 2006, 03:54 PM Post #7
Prodigy Group: Members Posts: 1858 Joined: 19-January 04 From: West Berkshire Member No.: 465	QUOTE(andante_in_c @ Jul 19 2006, 03:30 PM) Do you happen to know any other teachers who had this examiner? It might help to see if their marks were lower than expected too. Your HLR may be able to help with that. The only time I've been involved with a complaint about results only one out of a group of 4 teachers (and I think it was the least experienced) felt that the marking was at the level they expected. Two of them had completely unexpected failures and made formal complaints. My one candidate on that occasion was marked lower than I thought she deserved. The occasion was a private visit to my house, organised for teachers from the immediate area whom I knew, so I was able to liaise with them easily.

Boo Radley	Jul 19 2006, 05:41 PM Post #8
Virtuoso Group: Members Posts: 2662 Joined: 27-June 05 From: Cornwall Member No.: 3984	QUOTE(joyjoy @ Jul 19 2006, 03:26 PM) QUOTE(yamaha @ Jul 19 2006, 03:18 PM) I feel sad for them (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) I can see where you are coming from, completely, if you thought they were capable of more, it really is a shame. But if it was me, I would encourage them to still be happy about the pass, as at the end of the day, they haven't failed have they? So it's not like they have to resit it again - so that's good! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) It is a shame though... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif) The most important thing is that they don't have to resit. From my own experience of dancing exams compared to music exams, the music marking is sooo much more consistent! For example, in Modern Theatre Dance I had 2 highly commended grades followed immediately by a low pass plus. Two of my friends who were expected to get 70%+ were failed because it turned out the examiner had recently been marking pupils from a prestigious dance school in London. Two students who failed another exam retook in a fortnight to both get highly commended. I know this probably won't make you feel much better but just be confident that in you next exam session the chances of you having another dud examiner are very minimal! I really can understand how gutted you must be, the only thing that I can of to say is to possibly explain to your pupils and parents that you are not pleased with the results as you feel you had a very harsh examiner (happens in every aspect of life and exams). You can say that you were delighted that even under such circumstances they/their child had done well enough to pass and that you are confident that in the future they will get grades that are more befitting of their talent and work rate. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

yamaha	Jul 19 2006, 07:30 PM Post #9
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 493 Joined: 30-April 04 Member No.: 1243	QUOTE(andante_in_c @ Jul 19 2006, 03:30 PM) Having had something similar happen to my students last term, I can sympathise. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) I was just relieved that the whole bunch were a secure lot, so they all managed 111 or more, but I was disappointed for them. However secure we feel in our teaching and predictions, a set of results like this can set ourselves questioning our judgement. Do you happen to know any other teachers who had this examiner? It might help to see if their marks were lower than expected too. You are absolutely right, I feel awful and keep wondering how was I so wrong? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Have I become complacent, did I overestimate my pupils abilities etc... I feel like it's my fault (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) I am pleased that everyone passed but still feel that not even one out of 11 candidates got better than a pass is odd (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) One pupil who did Grade 4 got 100!! A bare pass, I'm stunned! This pupil is a lively girl, not given to nerves, loves to show what she can do etc.. I cant help but wonder if the examiner still had his high grade marking head on because my Grade 6 pupil went first and got exactly what I expected. Not very likely of course but......... I don't know, I'm just looking for a reason that isn't me I suppose (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) I am of course going to tell all my pupils that I am delighted and will only mention my disappointment if they do. I only know one other teacher locally (where I work, they arrange special visits but mine were at the centre) and I will ring her to see if she had the same examiner and if so, is she happy with the results. Thanks everyone (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

ringaringa	Jul 19 2006, 07:43 PM Post #10
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 191 Joined: 19-September 05 From: NZ Member No.: 4728	When will you get the comments sheet? Maybe this is an example of how just getting the mark on it's own causes more worry than it is beneficial. The Grade 1's at least will never have experienced previous merits or distinctions.

joyjoy	Jul 19 2006, 07:46 PM Post #11
Prodigy Group: Members Posts: 1326 Joined: 5-April 04 Member No.: 912	QUOTE(ringaringa @ Jul 19 2006, 08:43 PM) The Grade 1's at least will never have experienced previous merits or distinctions. That's what I thought too, as it would have been their first exam, unless they did Prep Test? So I guess the experience might have been more nerve wracking for them, maybe?

AnnC	Jul 19 2006, 08:01 PM Post #12
Virtuoso Group: Members Posts: 2649 Joined: 8-February 06 Member No.: 6097	I'm sorry that you're disappointed with the results. You are obviously a very experienced teacher and know what you are doing. I agree it's strange not to have some merits or distinctions in a bunch like that. I once had a batch of candidates (about 12) who all had the same comment about their singing. Now you could argue that that was a fault with the teacher. But I looked back through their previous remarks sheets for both exams and festivals, and this comment had never been made before (nor have they since). How can 12 candidates all suddenly develop the same fault? I very nearly e-mailed the board but didn't in the end - maybe I should have. I decided that Mr. Examiner had probably just been on a training course where the fault was perhaps focussed on. We were disappointed with the marks too. At the end of the day I suppose that they can't ALL be as good as each other. No consolation though.

jpiano	Jul 19 2006, 08:24 PM Post #13
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 667 Joined: 3-May 04 Member No.: 1270	I've found it to be very true that just getting the mark alone online without the comments sheet can be more worry than it's worth. I actually had one grade 2 who I'd predicted probably about 112-116 or more who came in at 102! It was only when I got the comment sheet that it all made sense-it was obvious she had got really nervous ; in fact every single fault that got picked up was something we'd had to work on during lessons, and had got to grips with but fell down under pressure. When I rang the parent with the result, she said' oh yes, we got to the exam almost late and she was really tired from a late night concert the day before and got unusually flustered. To be honest, seeing that I only got the online result a day before getting the postal ones anyway, it's a mixed blessing! The rest of this term's results have been exactly as predicted-2 distinctions, 2 merits, 2 passes so far-and perfectly reflects the students and the amount of work put in-but I have had the occasional odd term with seemingly much more exacting marking and hardly anyone even getting a merit!

oboist	Jul 19 2006, 11:17 PM Post #14
Prodigy Group: Members Posts: 1509 Joined: 4-October 04 Member No.: 2256	Yamaha worth following up - I know only too well the feeling of sadness when a pupil doesn't achieve what you thought they would. However, sometimes it works the other way. I've just picked up my on-line result (only two pupils with results this time, the rest were Prep Tests) and I'm feeling elated. They passed! I was seriously worried about them both - neither is particularly able naturally and both are "mother driven". I cannot tell you how relieved I am - the results are fair and I'm looking forward to getting the mark sheets now. Hope you get some feedback for your candidates. Oboist

jpiano	Jul 20 2006, 08:32 AM Post #15
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 667 Joined: 3-May 04 Member No.: 1270	However, sometimes it works the other way. I've just picked up my on-line result (only two pupils with results this time, the rest were Prep Tests) and I'm feeling elated. They passed! I was seriously worried about them both - neither is particularly able naturally and both are "mother driven". I cannot tell you how relieved I am - the results are fair and I'm looking forward to getting the mark sheets now. Oboist [/quote] Yes, this is true-I've taught students for whom a pass is a real triumph and reflects a lot of hard work on the part of both of us.

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