As an American who has covered Scottish education for years, I often see transatlantic comparisons on the topics that I cover.

But after almost six years in Scotland, there are still times when I want to explain the American equivalent of a particular education story and draw a blank.

Usually in those times, I have lived here long enough to have a sense of the context involved, and I can wrap my head around what I am covering.

Every year, however, I have a day at work where my American brain cannot help but think: “Why, though?”

Unfortunately, it happens to also be arguably the most important single day in Scottish education reporting: SQA results day.

My ambivalence about results day has grown over the years. Five years ago, on my first results day, I visited Lossiemouth High School to speak with students who had aced their exams and were on their way to top universities across the UK.

It was a great day. My favourite part of this job is speaking to students and teachers. At the time, the pandemic was disrupting daily life, and we were all happy to celebrate.

I never hesitate to celebrate student achievement, but over the years, results day has raised new questions as I started to think more about the young people who we do not see in the headlines.

I wonder whether the spotlight we shine on success doesn’t increase the disappointment of the many students who don’t receive their desired result, especially on a day that is already so charged with anxiety and emotion that students might feel like they may as well be back in the exam hall.

Of course, I understand that the results matter. The Scottish Government, particularly in the past decade, has made it virtually impossible for anyone wanting to heap praise or........

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