FOI24/25 070 Modification Documents for Higher Maths 2021/2022 and 2022/2023

Date published: 26/08/2024

This is a request in relation to modifications made to National five and higher mathematics for 21/22 and 22/23. The modification documentation detailed subjects that would not be assessed. Can you please provide documentation showing that although the topics would not be assessed that they should still be taught to pupils by schools.

My child's class were not taught vectors (as an example) at national 5 Mathematics (22//23) but as modifications were lifted this year she was assessed on these this year at Higher (23/24) without any base learning. This I feel has contributed to a lower than expected result. I strongly disagree that modifications should have been lifted for the higher mathematics this year. These children were most definitely at a disadvantage. When I wrote to the SQA about this, I was advised that although the subjects would not be assessed they should still be taught and I would like evidence of the schools being told this was expected.

 

SQA sent the following information directly to schools and colleges in an email on 16 November 2022

Email from SQA to schools, colleges and training providers on National Qualifications in 2022-23  (please be aware this link will expire in a few months)

Under the subheading ‘Delivering National Courses with your learners’, it states ‘We have made modifications to assessment only – it is important to be aware that we have not removed any content from National Courses. You should continue to deliver the full course content with your learners and allow them opportunities to develop the full range of skills, knowledge and understanding.’

This was a point of clarification, due to some feedback suggesting that despite SQA only making modifications to assessments in 2021-2022, some schools and colleges may not have been teaching the full course content.

SQA sent the email to the following distribution list:

SQA co-ordinators in all schools, colleges and training providers delivering National Qualifications
Heads of centre in all secondary schools and colleges
Local authority directors of education, heads of education, education officers and quality improvement officers