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 – 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.
Posted in Assessment Matters, Early Years, National Data, Secondary
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
on February 10, 2012
TES article – When Lord Justice Leveson launched his inquiry into the press last year, he said that its prime purpose would be to decide “who guards the guardians”. It is not so different for us in education. Surely, the biggest issue we face now is assessing the assessors.
Posted in Examinations and Qualifications, Secondary
on February 10, 2012
TES article – Anthony Little seeks to scrap GCSEs in favour of a basic school leaving certificate.
Posted in Examinations and Qualifications, Secondary
on February 4, 2012
TES editorial – The government is engaged in a spot of housekeeping. It thinks that thousands of vocational qualifications aren’t fit for purpose and shouldn’t count in league tables TES article – A technical college fears that its work will be ‘discredited’.
Posted in Examinations and Qualifications, Secondary
on February 4, 2012
TES Scotland article – Council’s decision to hold off introduction of new qualifications is praised by unions. TES Scotland article – Why all eyes are on the council that broke ranks.
Posted in Examinations and Qualifications, News, Secondary
on February 4, 2012
BBC News education – Schools should be allowed to delay a new exam system if they are not ready to implement it, Scotland’s largest teaching union has said.
Posted in Examinations and Qualifications, News, Secondary
on January 17, 2012
Pye Tait Survey Zone – Ofqual: Producing Effective Criteria for Qualifications Online Survey of Stakeholders.
Posted in Examinations and Qualifications, Secondary
on January 13, 2012
TES Scotland – Commercial pressures and an unhealthy focus on attainment figures should tick us all off.
Posted in Examinations and Qualifications, Performance Data, Secondary
on January 13, 2012
TES Scotland – Secondary schools have been accused of going to extraordinary lengths to boost the grades of borderline pupils while neglecting the majority.
Posted in Examinations and Qualifications, Performance Data, Secondary
on December 16, 2011
TES article – Courses offering ‘insider information’ in exchange for cash are branded ‘immoral.’ TES editorial – Our A-C obsession paves the way for scandal. TES letter – Focus on tests led to exam impropriety.
Posted in Examinations and Qualifications, News, Secondary
on December 15, 2011
Ofqual – Ofqual confirms the changes that will be made to GCSEs in England for teaching from September 2012. DfE news – End for GCSE modules and spelling, punctuation and grammar marks restored to exams.
Posted in Examinations and Qualifications, Secondary
Guidance to support teachers with assessment responsibility to develop their roles.