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GCSE changes to combat cheating GCSE course changes 'fair to all'
(about 1 hour later)
Changes to GSCE coursework which are designed to combat plagiarism have been announced by the Welsh Assembly Government. Welsh Education Minister Jane Davidson has defended the decision to scrap GCSE coursework in some subjects, saying the system must be "fair to all".
Under the new rules, coursework in a number of subjects including English literature and geography will be replaced by "controlled assessments". Maths coursework will be scrapped next September and "controlled assessments" in other GCSEs will follow.
Coursework in maths will be completely scrapped from September 2007. Ms Davidson said the changes would help eliminate plagiarism but would still allow pupils' independent study.
Education Minister Jane Davidson said the changes were designed to ensure pupils' work was really their own. "The key aspect is we must have public confidence in the system," said Ms Davidson.
Internal assessments in art and design, design and technology, home economics, music and physical education will continue, but with stronger safeguards. Under the changes, which will be "gently introduced" by 2009, coursework in subjects including English literature and geography will be replaced by assessments done under teacher supervision.
Decisions for Welsh second language, Welsh and Welsh literature are yet to be announced. There are no plans, however, to rule out practical assessments in subjects such as art and design, design and technology, home economics, music and PE, although these subjects will also have "stronger safeguards".
Public confidence
Changes in subjects other than maths will be implemented from September 2009.
Steve Marshall, headteacher of St Julian's Comprehensive in Newport, said he "very much favoured" the minister's announcement.
"We think it's sensible and we're very pleased that it brings Wales into line with England and Northern Ireland," said Mr Marshall, who is also a member of the Association of School and College Leaders executive in Wales.
"The impact of this decision will be to place coursework or internal assessments on a much more controlled basis."
GCSE CHANGES: Coursework will be replaced by controlled assessments in: Business studiesClassical subjectsEconomicsEnglish literatureGeographyhistoryModern foreign languagesReligious studiesSocial sciencesGCSE CHANGES: Coursework will be replaced by controlled assessments in: Business studiesClassical subjectsEconomicsEnglish literatureGeographyhistoryModern foreign languagesReligious studiesSocial sciences
Mr Marshall said Wales needed an examination system in which the public felt confidence. Decisions for Welsh as a first and second language and Welsh literature are yet to be announced.
The changes, which are also being introduced for pupils in England, were first revealed last week.
Ms Davidson said they wanted the work to be done in a "fairer setting where teachers and pupils can both have confidence."
"It's not just about plagiarism," she said. "It's also about whether or not coursework which was designed 20 years ago is fit for purpose."
"We want to make sure that every child out there who takes the examinations will feel the value of the examinations."
Level playing field
The changes do not require legislation and from 2009 all GCSE awarding bodies will be setting coursework where appropriate under the new arrangements, Ms Davidson added.
Steve Marshall, head teacher of St Julian's Comprehensive in Newport, said he "very much favoured" the announcement.
"We think it's sensible and we're very pleased that it brings Wales into line with England and Northern Ireland," said Mr Marshall, who is also a member of the Association of School and College Leaders executive in Wales.
Mr Marshall also said Wales needed an examination system in which the public felt confidence.
"This will end up with us having a system which the people outside schools can be truly confident in. It's going to be a level playing field for our pupils and students," he added."This will end up with us having a system which the people outside schools can be truly confident in. It's going to be a level playing field for our pupils and students," he added.
In the past, teaching unions have generally been supportive of such measures, but have been keen to ensure they would not mean extra work for teachers.In the past, teaching unions have generally been supportive of such measures, but have been keen to ensure they would not mean extra work for teachers.
Ms 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.
"It is really important that people do respect and reward the hard work undertaken by pupils.
"We must always be prepared to review our practice to ensure the system has appropriate rigour to encourage public confidence."