Learning Points: The terrible reality of calculated Leaving Cert grades

Many students who thought they had secured a college course of their choice were disappointed with the rise in points for most courses

There have been lots of families disappointed by the calculated grading system.

Now that first round offers have been released the terrible reality of calculated grades has finally set in for many students across the country. Points for most courses saw a significant rise, which meant students who thought they were safe with the points they had achieved were bitterly disappointed last Friday. It can be such a difficult time for parents, watching their children experience crushing disappointment after working diligently all year. 

This pandemic has disrupted so much of our lives, but the students of 2020 have felt the full brunt of it. Not only were they in the dark for many months whether or not their leaving certificate exam would go ahead, they were then told it was postponed and finally cancelled. What a rollercoaster of a year and now many of them have missed out on their preferred course because of the spike in points caused by overly predicted grades.