on February 24, 2012
Ofqual – We today (24th February 2012) announced moves to strengthen GCSEs in English literature, mathematics, history, and geography. The Guardian Education – Regulator makes changes to English literature, maths, history and geography to ensure pupils study whole curriculum. The Telegraph Education – Examiners ordered to toughen up GCSE test papers.
Posted in Examinations and Qualifications, News
on February 24, 2012
TES Scotland article – The new head of the OECD division responsible for Pisa talks about what Scotland can learn from the world’s highest-performing schools, why we have slipped down the education league table and the importance of teacher pay.
Posted in International Comparisons
on February 24, 2012
TES article – Shadow education secretary says they do benefit the disaffected.
Posted in Examinations and Qualifications, News
on February 24, 2012
TES article – The Welsh government has been forced to delay its controversial banding system for primary schools by more than two years after opposition from teachers.
Posted in News, Performance Data, Primary
on February 24, 2012
TES Scotland article – Germany’s leading tabloid wants blood for a series of maths exam paper blunders.
Posted in Examinations and Qualifications, Secondary
on February 24, 2012
TES Scotland article – Scotland’s decision to opt out of an international programme for measuring teacher quality is a “missed opportunity”, according to the new head of educational analysis at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Posted in International Comparisons
on February 17, 2012
We are recruiting a pool of external operational and senior moderators to review local authorities’ Key Stage 2 writing teacher assessment moderation processes for 2011/2012. The operational moderators will be expected to undertake four moderation visits after which they will write a report and letter which will go back to the local authority. The senior [...]
Posted in Primary, Statutory Assessment
on February 17, 2012
TES article – Former DfE official questions GCSE performance measure. Why are the results of GCSEs taken by 16-year-olds used to judge secondary schools when the compulsory age of education and training is due to be raised to 18?
Posted in Examinations and Qualifications, Performance Data, Secondary
on February 17, 2012
TES article – A strong focus on exams has led us to value what we can measure, rather than measure what we value.
Posted in International Comparisons, Performance Data
on February 17, 2012
TES article – Pupils who speak English as an additional language (EAL) have achieved an academic breakthrough, with new figures showing that a higher proportion have gained five “good” GCSEs than their native English speaking counterparts for the first time. DfE – GCSE and Equivalent Attainment by Pupil Characteristics in England, 2010/11.
Posted in Examinations and Qualifications, National Data, News, Performance Data, Secondary
on February 10, 2012
TES article – The effects of early education are still felt at 14, research shows. EPPSE 3-14 – Influences on students’ attainment and progress in Key Stage 3: Academic outcomes in English, maths and science in Year 9. DfE Publications – Effective Pre-school, Primary and Secondary Education 3-14 Project (EPPSE 3-14) – Final Report from [...]
Posted in Assessment Matters, Early Years, National Data, Secondary
on February 10, 2012
DfE press notice – Thousands of pupils are missing out on the opportunity to study the core academic subjects, new figures reveal.
Posted in National Data, News
on February 10, 2012
TES article – Outstanding schools fear inspection once more as new chief stamps his mark on Ofsted.
Posted in Assessment Matters, News
on February 10, 2012
TES article – Much of Ofqual’s work would fall on subject committees.
Posted in Examinations and Qualifications, Secondary
on February 10, 2012
TES article – Concern voiced over the watchdog that needs ‘reinforcements’. House of Commons Select Committee – How Should Examinations for 15-19 Year olds in England be Run?
Posted in Examinations and Qualifications, Secondary
Assessment: Keeping Learning on Track - guidance for schools in developing quality assessment processes, published jointly by Suffolk County Council and the AAIA.