On Wednesday 7 May, the ROCKWOOL Foundation presented the findings of two new studies showing that some groups of students face greater challenges than others in achieving high grades in school exams.

The first study, presented by researcher Anders Hjorth-Trolle, highlighted disparities in the grades assigned by teachers to certain student groups — for example, boys and students with a non-Western background — in the final year of primary school.

The second study, presented by Head of Analysis Mille Bjørk, examined the types of exams used in the final year of primary education. She pointed to how the format of the exams contributes to the growing gap in grades between boys and girls.

The results were subsequently discussed in a panel debate featuring Sara Emil Baaring (Social Democrats), spokesperson on primary education; Lise Bertelsen (Conservatives), spokesperson on education; and Gordon Ørskov Madsen, President of the Danish Union of Teachers. The debate was moderated by Janni Brixen, and the audience had the opportunity to ask questions throughout.