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| Move to end more GCSE coursework | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| GCSE coursework has become "less valid" and should be scrapped in several subjects, the exams watchdog has said. | |
| A Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) report says coursework "does not fulfil its stated purpose" in an age of league tables and targets. | |
| Amid concerns about cheating, it was announced last week that maths coursework will be scrapped next year. | |
| It should also end in subjects such as English literature and the humanities, or be more controlled, the QCA says. | |
| If it is retained, it will be done under supervised conditions and be set and/or marked by the exam boards - not teachers. | If it is retained, it will be done under supervised conditions and be set and/or marked by the exam boards - not teachers. |
| In areas which most obviously require practical assessments - art, design and technology, home economics, music and PE - it will continue but with "stronger safeguards". | In areas which most obviously require practical assessments - art, design and technology, home economics, music and PE - it will continue but with "stronger safeguards". |
| Most changes will affect courses starting in 2009, following consultation. | Most changes will affect courses starting in 2009, following consultation. |
| Science has been left out because GCSE courses changed only last month. They involve 25% coursework, much of it already classroom-based. | Science has been left out because GCSE courses changed only last month. They involve 25% coursework, much of it already classroom-based. |
| Decisions on English language and ICT will follow changes to incorporate "functional skills". | Decisions on English language and ICT will follow changes to incorporate "functional skills". |
| Authentication | Authentication |
| Maths was singled out because of the "striking" responses to a survey of teachers. | Maths was singled out because of the "striking" responses to a survey of teachers. |
| We have a responsibility to ensure that assessments in high stakes external examinations, such as GCSEs, continue to be valid and reliable Ken Boston, QCA "In contrast with all other subjects, a substantial majority of mathematics teachers (66%) disagreed with the proposition that coursework was valid and reliable." | We have a responsibility to ensure that assessments in high stakes external examinations, such as GCSEs, continue to be valid and reliable Ken Boston, QCA "In contrast with all other subjects, a substantial majority of mathematics teachers (66%) disagreed with the proposition that coursework was valid and reliable." |
| They also had the highest levels of concern about different aspects of coursework, "such as authenticating candidates' work". | They also had the highest levels of concern about different aspects of coursework, "such as authenticating candidates' work". |
| In other subjects the responses varied but overall were "fairly positive". | In other subjects the responses varied but overall were "fairly positive". |
| There were concerns about the workload faced by both students and staff, but most teachers "are not overwhelmingly worried about the use of the internet for coursework". | There were concerns about the workload faced by both students and staff, but most teachers "are not overwhelmingly worried about the use of the internet for coursework". |
| Nor was there a clear consensus as to whether more rules and guidance about GCSE coursework were needed. | Nor was there a clear consensus as to whether more rules and guidance about GCSE coursework were needed. |
| The changes are designed to address the concerns that have been raised about ensuring that the work assessed really is the pupils' own Jane DavidsonWelsh Assembly Education Minister Most teachers wanted a coursework element retained. | The changes are designed to address the concerns that have been raised about ensuring that the work assessed really is the pupils' own Jane DavidsonWelsh Assembly Education Minister Most teachers wanted a coursework element retained. |
| But the QCA says things have changed since coursework began almost 20 years ago, with achievement and attainment tables, national or local targets based on exam grades and links between teachers' pay and students' results. | But the QCA says things have changed since coursework began almost 20 years ago, with achievement and attainment tables, national or local targets based on exam grades and links between teachers' pay and students' results. |
| "The environment now is far more pressured and in these circumstances, it is likely that internal assessment of GCSE and A-levels as presently practised has become a less valid form of assessment." | "The environment now is far more pressured and in these circumstances, it is likely that internal assessment of GCSE and A-levels as presently practised has become a less valid form of assessment." |
| It was seeking the most valid and reliable form of assessment for the intended learning outcomes. | It was seeking the most valid and reliable form of assessment for the intended learning outcomes. |
| But it also had to consider "manageability" - moving entirely to external exams would be far more costly and require the recruitment of many more examiners each year. | But it also had to consider "manageability" - moving entirely to external exams would be far more costly and require the recruitment of many more examiners each year. |
| 'Robust' | 'Robust' |
| The lead has been taken by the English regulator, but working closely with its counterparts in Wales and Northern Ireland. The changes will apply across the board. | The lead has been taken by the English regulator, but working closely with its counterparts in Wales and Northern Ireland. The changes will apply across the board. |
| In spite of the report's contents, the QCA's chief executive, Ken Boston, said the current system of GCSE examinations and coursework was "robust". | In spite of the report's contents, the QCA's chief executive, Ken Boston, said the current system of GCSE examinations and coursework was "robust". |
| "We have a responsibility to ensure that assessments in high-stakes external examinations, such as GCSEs, continue to be valid and reliable," he said. | "We have a responsibility to ensure that assessments in high-stakes external examinations, such as GCSEs, continue to be valid and reliable," he said. |
| "We are confident that the changes we are making to coursework will ensure that the GCSE remains fit for purpose, and ultimately reduces the assessment burden on both students and teachers." | "We are confident that the changes we are making to coursework will ensure that the GCSE remains fit for purpose, and ultimately reduces the assessment burden on both students and teachers." |
| Education Secretary Alan Johnson - who outlined the changes at the Labour Party conference - said: "Despite our rigorous system, more needs to be done to assure all parents that coursework assesses pupils' work in a fair and robust way." | Education Secretary Alan Johnson - who outlined the changes at the Labour Party conference - said: "Despite our rigorous system, more needs to be done to assure all parents that coursework assesses pupils' work in a fair and robust way." |
| Welsh Assembly Education Minister Jane Davidson said: "The changes are designed to address the concerns that have been raised about ensuring that the work assessed really is the pupils' own and not the result, even in part, of inappropriate levels of help or even plagiarism via the internet or elsewhere." | Welsh Assembly Education Minister Jane Davidson said: "The changes are designed to address the concerns that have been raised about ensuring that the work assessed really is the pupils' own and not the result, even in part, of inappropriate levels of help or even plagiarism via the internet or elsewhere." |
| But the general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Steve Sinnott, accused the QCA of a "draconian" approach. | But the general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Steve Sinnott, accused the QCA of a "draconian" approach. |
| "In subjects such as geography, history and business studies, it has ignored teachers' views about the value of coursework and its ability to enhance youngsters' confidence," he said. | "In subjects such as geography, history and business studies, it has ignored teachers' views about the value of coursework and its ability to enhance youngsters' confidence," he said. |