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Maths GCSE coursework is dropped Maths GCSE coursework is dropped
(10 minutes later)
Coursework for GCSE mathematics is to be axed, the Education Secretary, Alan Johnson, has announced.Coursework for GCSE mathematics is to be axed, the Education Secretary, Alan Johnson, has announced.
All other GCSE coursework will have to be supervised, Mr Johnson told delegates at the Labour party conference on Wednesday.All other GCSE coursework will have to be supervised, Mr Johnson told delegates at the Labour party conference on Wednesday.
He said qualifications could not be undermined by the few who cheated by taking their work from the internet.He said qualifications could not be undermined by the few who cheated by taking their work from the internet.
Parents needed to be reassured that coursework assessed pupils' work in a "fair and robust way".Parents needed to be reassured that coursework assessed pupils' work in a "fair and robust way".
There has long been a problem over the use of coursework in GCSEs, with concerns about whether work done outside of school is always entirely the student's own efforts. Coursework - or work done outside normal classroom conditions - was introduced when GCSEs replaced O-levels almost 20 years ago.
The growth of model answers on the internet has increased concerns. But there has long been a problem over its use, with concerns about whether work done outside of school is always entirely the student's own efforts.
In some subjects, coursework can be worth between 25% and 40% of marks. And the growth of model answers on the internet has increased concerns.
In many subjects, coursework is typically worth between 25% and 40% of marks.
Coursework is generally popular with teachers, who argue it allows pupils to show a wider range of skills and knowledge than traditional, timed exams.Coursework is generally popular with teachers, who argue it allows pupils to show a wider range of skills and knowledge than traditional, timed exams.
'Robust and reliable''Robust and reliable'
In his speech to the Labour Party conference, Mr Johnson said: "Last year, we asked the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to look at making GCSE coursework more robust and reliable.In his speech to the Labour Party conference, Mr Johnson said: "Last year, we asked the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to look at making GCSE coursework more robust and reliable.
Mr Johnson wants to crack down on coursework cheatsMr Johnson wants to crack down on coursework cheats
"As a result of the QCA's report, we will be removing all GCSE coursework from maths and stipulating that in other subjects, coursework must be supervised in classroom style conditions."As a result of the QCA's report, we will be removing all GCSE coursework from maths and stipulating that in other subjects, coursework must be supervised in classroom style conditions.
"Coursework can be very beneficial and I am determined that the hard work of the vast majority of students should not be undermined by questions of validity."Coursework can be very beneficial and I am determined that the hard work of the vast majority of students should not be undermined by questions of validity.
"We will work closely with teachers to develop even more effective and reliable coursework assessments.""We will work closely with teachers to develop even more effective and reliable coursework assessments."
Unions offer cautious welcomeUnions offer cautious welcome
The move was generally welcomed by the National Union of Teachers.The move was generally welcomed by the National Union of Teachers.
"We welcome the removal of unnecessary coursework," said general secretary Steve Sinnott."We welcome the removal of unnecessary coursework," said general secretary Steve Sinnott.
"There are some subjects for which it is totally inappropriate. I hope however that coursework is retained for subjects such as the arts, geography and history.""There are some subjects for which it is totally inappropriate. I hope however that coursework is retained for subjects such as the arts, geography and history."
The teachers' union, the NASUWT, said it would "examine very carefully the proposals on coursework", but was sure supervised coursework would address problems of plagiarism.The teachers' union, the NASUWT, said it would "examine very carefully the proposals on coursework", but was sure supervised coursework would address problems of plagiarism.
The Association of School and College Leaders praised the announcement.The Association of School and College Leaders praised the announcement.
"In the age of the internet plagiarism represents a real problem and it is right that the regulations on carrying out coursework recognise this," said general secretary Dr John Dunford."In the age of the internet plagiarism represents a real problem and it is right that the regulations on carrying out coursework recognise this," said general secretary Dr John Dunford.
Last week, it was announced that the coursework component in geography A-level would be scrapped and in most other subjects, the number of coursework study units would be reduced from six to four - two at AS-level and two at A2.Last week, it was announced that the coursework component in geography A-level would be scrapped and in most other subjects, the number of coursework study units would be reduced from six to four - two at AS-level and two at A2.
Children in careChildren in care
Mr Johnson also outlined new measures to improve support for children in care and their education.Mr Johnson also outlined new measures to improve support for children in care and their education.
The minister said these children were five times less likely to pass their GCSEs and 25 times more likely to "wind up in prison".The minister said these children were five times less likely to pass their GCSEs and 25 times more likely to "wind up in prison".
He said an extra £100 a year would be put into their Child Trust Fund accounts for every full year they spent in care.He said an extra £100 a year would be put into their Child Trust Fund accounts for every full year they spent in care.
And a £2,000 bursary would help children in care go to university.And a £2,000 bursary would help children in care go to university.