A-level changes criticised by scientific community

Posted by Isra Anwar

April 11, 2014

The education secretary printed these days “revised content” for A levels in English literature, English language, English literature and language, biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, history, economics, business, technology, art and style and social science, to be tutored from Sept 2015.

Mr Gove had accepted the recommendations from a review LED by Mark E. Smith, the Lancaster University vice-chancellor. in an exceedingly written ministerial statement, mister Gove says the review John Drew “advice from subject specialists from education institutions and subject associations”.

He adds: “By putting responsibility for the content of A levels within the hands of university lecturers, we have a tendency to hope that these new exams are additional rigorous and can offer students with the talents and information required for progression to undergrad study.”

Mr Gove additionally says: “In the sciences, there'll even be a replacement demand that students should do a minimum of twelve sensible activities, guaranteeing that they develop important scientific techniques and become snug exploitation key equipment. this may ensure that each one grade scientists develop the experimental and sensible skills essential for more study.”

But the Campaign for Science and Engineering same that Ofqual, the exams regulator, had opted to “remove the examination of practicals from A-level grades in science”, job this “a backwards step for science skills within the UK”.

It added: “Although competency in twelve sensible activities are a minimum demand to achieve a ‘pass’ for the sensible component, there's no indication that a student can ought to pass the sensible component to be awarded their grade.”

Imran Khan, chief govt of nation Science Association, said:“Science could be a manner of watching and pondering the planet - not a body of facts. You wouldn’t dream of assessing alternative sensible subjects - like languages, music, or style - by a written take a look at alone, and also the same ought to be true of science.”

Mark Downs, chief govt of the Society of Biology, said: “I am afraid by Ofqual’s response to the present vital issue. they need chosen to ignore the entire scientific community. Science is all regarding application and discovery. Excluding sensible exams from the marking system for overall A-level grades is solely nonsensical.”

He added: “To be ready to attain associate degree A or A* grade in an exceedingly science subject while not taking full account of a student’s level of performance in sensible work can not be right.”

Mr Gove additionally declared associate degree extension within the variety of subjects which will be subject to wider reforms, for initial teaching from Sept 2016, wherever changes are LED by the A-level Content planning board established by the Russell cluster.

He had already declared that A levels in maths, languages and earth science would be reformed – and these days additional to the list “GCSEs and A levels in spiritual studies, style & technology, drama, dance, music and PE”.

“Awarding organisations and subject specialists can draft content for these new A levels and GCSEs over the approaching months, and that we can consult on their recommendations for content – whereas Ofqual consults on its recommendations for assessment – later within the year,” mister Gove says.

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