The education secretary Michael Gove's plans for almost entirely exams-based A-levels have suffered a setback after the qualifications watchdog recommended coursework was kept in some of the most popular subjects.
A report published by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) suggests coursework should count for up to 20% of marks in English literature, English language, history, geography and computer science.
"We have looked at each subject in turn and developed proposals designed to suit their individual needs," Glenys Stacey, Ofqual's chief executive, said. "For example, fieldwork is a vital part of geography so we propose reintroducing non-exam assessment there."
Ofqual also gave support to the continued existence of the shorter, one-year AS-level course, which the government had decoupled from the longer two-year qualification. The watchdog said exam boards would be able to design the AS-level so that it could be taught alongside the first year of an A-level course – which in effect means the AS-level will retain its current status.
The consultation also includes proposals for Ofqual to work with exam boards to strengthen the oversight of marking by teachers, and reduce malpractice around coursework assessments. "We are concerned about the increasing number of allegations of malpractice in the conduct of these assessments," the report said.
The reformed A-levels will be taught in schools from September 2015, with the first exams taken in 2017.
Meanwhile, Professor Mark E Smith, vice-chancellor of Lancaster University, published a consultation document on the subject content of A-level syllabuses.
It recommends that, in English literature, students study eight novels rather than 12, but that each should be studied in greater depth. Under the proposals, students would be required to cover at least one 21st-century work and three works from before 1900, including at least one Shakespeare play.
In history, the syllabus would be widened from topics covering 100 years to 200 years, while the emphasis on British history would be reduced from a quarter to a fifth.
"The review that I chaired drew together the views of a large range of academics, learned societies, schools, industry and other interested practitioners," said Smith."The review was asked only to focus on content, but of course is part of the wider context for A level reform. I am confident that the process followed in carrying out that review was robust. I believe the proposals set out here update, modernise and improve A-level content."
A report published by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) suggests coursework should count for up to 20% of marks in English literature, English language, history, geography and computer science.
"We have looked at each subject in turn and developed proposals designed to suit their individual needs," Glenys Stacey, Ofqual's chief executive, said. "For example, fieldwork is a vital part of geography so we propose reintroducing non-exam assessment there."
Ofqual also gave support to the continued existence of the shorter, one-year AS-level course, which the government had decoupled from the longer two-year qualification. The watchdog said exam boards would be able to design the AS-level so that it could be taught alongside the first year of an A-level course – which in effect means the AS-level will retain its current status.
The consultation also includes proposals for Ofqual to work with exam boards to strengthen the oversight of marking by teachers, and reduce malpractice around coursework assessments. "We are concerned about the increasing number of allegations of malpractice in the conduct of these assessments," the report said.
The reformed A-levels will be taught in schools from September 2015, with the first exams taken in 2017.
Meanwhile, Professor Mark E Smith, vice-chancellor of Lancaster University, published a consultation document on the subject content of A-level syllabuses.
It recommends that, in English literature, students study eight novels rather than 12, but that each should be studied in greater depth. Under the proposals, students would be required to cover at least one 21st-century work and three works from before 1900, including at least one Shakespeare play.
In history, the syllabus would be widened from topics covering 100 years to 200 years, while the emphasis on British history would be reduced from a quarter to a fifth.
"The review that I chaired drew together the views of a large range of academics, learned societies, schools, industry and other interested practitioners," said Smith."The review was asked only to focus on content, but of course is part of the wider context for A level reform. I am confident that the process followed in carrying out that review was robust. I believe the proposals set out here update, modernise and improve A-level content."
0 comments:
Post a Comment