Query over students’ geography reports

STUDENTS in the same class are continuing to submit similar field reports for Leaving Certificate geography, it has been revealed.

However, rather than necessarily being the result of cheating, a state examinations commission suggests the problem could arise from information material given to all students on factory visits or limits on their ability to gather data.

The geographical investigation report submitted by candidates before the end of April summarises coursework on a topic from a list set by the commission.

It is worth a fifth of total marks in geography and the most popular topics chosen by students last year were geomorphic transportation processes and changing land-use.

The chief examiner’s report into last year’s Leaving Certificate geography exams, taken by more than 24,200 students, says examiners marking papers found the quality of the work was generally high. They found the GI reports were well presented and the reporting of data-gathering methods in the field had improved on the previous year.

However, in a small number of cases, concerns were reported about irregular and excessive similarities between reports within certain centres. Among the 6,455 ordinary level students, the number of cases is described as small but significant.

As in all instances of suspected irregularities, the commission would have sought comment or clarification from schools or students themselves. It said no grades in Leaving Certificate geography were withheld because of breaches of exam rules last year.

“While it is recognised such apparently irregular similarity may come about inadvertently in a group work situation, the integrity of the examination must be upheld,” the chief examiner wrote. The report stressed the GI report must be the work of the student submitting it. The candidate has responsibility for ensuring this and it is attested by the teacher or school on a commission form.

The chief examiner acknowledged similar material might be used by students based on information packs supplied on visits to factories of field study centres. The report notes the possibility health and safety requirements may limit the potential for students to gather primary data if factory visits are subject to guided supervision.

The proportion of students getting honours grades at ordinary level rose from 71% in 2006 to 78% last year, while at higher level the figure fell to 76%.

Chief examiner reports on Leaving Certificate applied maths, Hebrew studies and music, and Junior Certificate geography and Hebrew studies are published today on the commission website: www.examinations.ie