Why doesn't BOS release raw marks? (1 Viewer)

[kaz1]

Just wondering why the Board of Studies doesn't release the release the raw marks for the HSC exam.

 

[danz90]

They say it would undermine the integrity of standards-setting/marking procedures?

 

[Timothy.Siu]

simply put, its because you dont need to know

 

[tommykins]

because they are useless

 

[Affinity]

because of the potential embarrassment from revealing how much grades are inflated by. We all know that a 70% HSC mark is probably less than 50% raw..


according to my hunch, to estimate your raw mark, subtract your HSC mark from 100, double that and subtract from 100 again

They say it would undermine the integrity of standards-setting/marking procedures?

That is rubbish... transparency encourages integrity.

 

[kevinx2]

Given the general community interpretation of 50 as a ‘pass’ at all levels of education, it has been suggested that HSC students may now feel they can achieve a respectable result with minimal effort.

.

 

[cutemouse]

As I understand it, they did release them and then they realised that people could calculate various things (like estimates). So they stopped releasing them.

I'm still going to push for my raw marks though when I finish my HSC.

 

[kevinx2]

As I understand it, they did release them and then they realised that people could calculate various things (like estimates). So they stopped releasing them.

I'm still going to push for my raw marks though when I finish my HSC.

The released them to people who made a FOI Application, and with the raw marks, the Band cut-offs could be determined for certain subjects, and since then, BOS have been tight cunts about releasing raw marks.

 

[youngminii]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that the FOI Act allows you to use the information for private use, but if your intention is to get the raw marks and then spread it publicly (ie. Bored of Studies) then the FOI Act does NOT cover it (since enough raw marks can be used to calculate Band cut-offs etc.)
This is the primary excuse that the BoS uses, I believe? Maybe if you like, swore only to use it privately.. Hah, what a long shot

 

[lyounamu]

because of the potential embarrassment from revealing how much grades are inflated by. We all know that a 70% HSC mark is probably less than 50% raw..


according to my hunch, to estimate your raw mark, subtract your HSC mark from 100, double that and subtract from 100 again


That is rubbish... transparency encourages integrity.

that's pretty good.

So my 96 in mx1 is like, 92 raw?

well, doesn't sound very right but pretty good, haha.

 

[kevinx2]

because of the potential embarrassment from revealing how much grades are inflated by. We all know that a 70% HSC mark is probably less than 50% raw..


according to my hunch, to estimate your raw mark, subtract your HSC mark from 100, double that and subtract from 100 again


That is rubbish... transparency encourages integrity.

That sorta works, pretty close in some instances based on http://community.boredofstudies.org...578/raw-band-cut-offs-updated-15-09-04-a.html but still off for others.

 

[dp624]

Lol @ Affinity's hunch....
that means i epic failed my phys (gah) and my chem in comparison to trials. i think its a bit different at the top

and doesnt really work for maths

 

[Lazarus]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that the FOI Act allows you to use the information for private use, but if your intention is to get the raw marks and then spread it publicly (ie. Bored of Studies) then the FOI Act does NOT cover it (since enough raw marks can be used to calculate Band cut-offs etc.)
This is the primary excuse that the BoS uses, I believe? Maybe if you like, swore only to use it privately.. Hah, what a long shot

There are exemptions in the FOI Act relating to certain types of documents, but those documents are still within the purview of the Act - for example:

16 Documents concerning operations of agencies

A document is an exempt document if it contains matter the disclosure of which:

    (a) could reasonably be expected:

        (i)  to prejudice the effectiveness of any method or procedure for the conduct of tests, examinations or audits by an agency, or 

        (ii) to prejudice the attainment of the objects of any test, examination or audit conducted by an agency, ...

        and

    (b) would, on balance, be contrary to the public interest.

​

If you request documents from the Board, and an exemption applies, the Act authorises them to refuse your application (but doesn't require them to do so).

Whether the exemption applies is a matter which can be reviewed by the NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal.

As you can see, there are a few limbs to the exemption above.

The Board bears the onus of proof and has to be able to show that either the effectiveness of a procedure for the conduct of examinations, or the attainment of the objects of any examination conducted by the Board, "could reasonably be expected" to be "prejudiced".

And it also has to show that, on balance, disclosure would be contrary to the public interest.

The Board's reliance on this exemption has not yet been tested before the tribunal.

Generally, I think the Board is of the opinion that public disclosue of raw band cut-offs would place pressure on the judges to alter or change the cut-offs in future years and in that way might cause the requisite prejudice. The same reason is relied on to show that disclosure would be contrary to the public interest.

In my opinion, there are equally persuasive counter-arguments available as to why there would be no prejudice, and a raft of other reasons as to why disclosure would be in the public interest anyway.

Potential embarrassment is not a valid legal reason for avoiding disclosure and cannot be relied upon by the Board.

 

[dp624]

So someone with a large amount of time and money might be able to do this? It would be monumental in allowing for the accuracy of predictions and knowledge.

Do you think that, personally, the Board would win such a case? Lol, we should have Bored of Studies vs Board of Studies, 2009

 

[lyounamu]

So someone with a large amount of time and money might be able to do this? It would be monumental in allowing for the accuracy of predictions and knowledge.

Do you think that, personally, the Board would win such a case? Lol, we should have Bored of Studies vs Board of Studies, 2009

Why not do that? That's a very good suggestion.

I mean, we can chip in some money and do some case going.

 

[youngminii]

Why not do that? That's a very good suggestion.

I mean, we can chip in some money and do some case going.

Yeah let's hire Lazarus as our lawyer

Also, LOL @ the BoS vs BoS

 

[lyounamu]

Yeah let's hire Lazarus as our lawyer

Also, LOL @ the BoS vs BoS

LOL

But I am being serious. We need to know. I mean, specifically, I really want to know the Truth.

I am being thrown all these figures by teachers who don't know a thing about HSC. And I am frustrated with most people at my school who go like: I cannot get 90 UAI because I need to get 90 in all my subjects OR maths is scaled up (without really knowing what scaling means).

Or they also go like 50% in 4 unit maths gets you 90 because it's scaled up. Hell no!

 

[youngminii]

LOL

But I am being serious. We need to know. I mean, specifically, I really want to know the Truth.

I am being thrown all these figures by teachers who don't know a thing about HSC. And I am frustrated with most people at my school who go like: I cannot get 90 UAI because I need to get 90 in all my subjects OR maths is scaled up (without really knowing what scaling means).

Or they also go like 50% in 4 unit maths gets you 90 because it's scaled up. Hell no!

Lol, you know better so why bother?

 

[lyounamu]

Lol, you know better so why bother?

haha, some people deserve truths.

 

[annabackwards]

haha, some people deserve truths.

Lol maybe, but if you give it to them they probably won't understand anyway