Easy Mac
07-31-2005, 01:23 PM
The Sunday Times - Scotland
July 31, 2005
Students ‘failed’ for using phones
Jason Allardyce
MORE than 100 school pupils are to be told that they have failed their exams because they took mobile phones into examination halls across Scotland.
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has admitted that students have attempted to defy rules banning the use of electronic devices while they take tests.
Written guidance issued to students before tests began in May stated that mobile phones would be prohibited in exam halls in case children used them to retrieve information relating to questions in test papers. It warned that anyone found in possession of a mobile phone or other electronic device would have their entries “cancelled”.
The SQA says that mobile phones were taken into test halls on 109 occasions this year although it believes that most of the allegations do not refer to deliberate attempts to cheat.
The students will learn of their failure when results begin to drop through letter boxes across Scotland on August 9. A further 41 pupils face being failed for plagiarising the work of other children. They will have the chance to appeal against the decisions.
Educationalists said it was right to punish anyone who had breached the rules. Judith Gillespie, of the Scottish Parent Teacher Council, said: “If the SQA is to have any credibility it has to live up to the guidelines it gives pupils. Children are told well in advance that they cannot bring mobile phones into exams. If they are let off, then pupils sitting exams next year will think the SQA is not serious about disciplining people who break the rules.”
Bill McGregor, the general secretary of the Headteachers’ Association of Scotland, added: “We are talking about a relatively small number of pupils, but that does not make it any less serious. The rules are very firmly stated and the SQA owes a duty to other students to take the strongest action possible. A strict line has to be taken.”
Somewhat torn as to my thoughts. On the one hand, if these are older kids who drive there, then yeah, just leave it in the damn car and be done with it. Fail them. However, if they need a ride from their parents (and it didn't take place during normal school hours), then how can they not take a phone in so they can call their parents for a ride. More than likely, the kids just didn't follow the rule, but who knows.
July 31, 2005
Students ‘failed’ for using phones
Jason Allardyce
MORE than 100 school pupils are to be told that they have failed their exams because they took mobile phones into examination halls across Scotland.
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has admitted that students have attempted to defy rules banning the use of electronic devices while they take tests.
Written guidance issued to students before tests began in May stated that mobile phones would be prohibited in exam halls in case children used them to retrieve information relating to questions in test papers. It warned that anyone found in possession of a mobile phone or other electronic device would have their entries “cancelled”.
The SQA says that mobile phones were taken into test halls on 109 occasions this year although it believes that most of the allegations do not refer to deliberate attempts to cheat.
The students will learn of their failure when results begin to drop through letter boxes across Scotland on August 9. A further 41 pupils face being failed for plagiarising the work of other children. They will have the chance to appeal against the decisions.
Educationalists said it was right to punish anyone who had breached the rules. Judith Gillespie, of the Scottish Parent Teacher Council, said: “If the SQA is to have any credibility it has to live up to the guidelines it gives pupils. Children are told well in advance that they cannot bring mobile phones into exams. If they are let off, then pupils sitting exams next year will think the SQA is not serious about disciplining people who break the rules.”
Bill McGregor, the general secretary of the Headteachers’ Association of Scotland, added: “We are talking about a relatively small number of pupils, but that does not make it any less serious. The rules are very firmly stated and the SQA owes a duty to other students to take the strongest action possible. A strict line has to be taken.”
Somewhat torn as to my thoughts. On the one hand, if these are older kids who drive there, then yeah, just leave it in the damn car and be done with it. Fail them. However, if they need a ride from their parents (and it didn't take place during normal school hours), then how can they not take a phone in so they can call their parents for a ride. More than likely, the kids just didn't follow the rule, but who knows.