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A-level overhaul: Fewer re-sits and shift to summer-only exams A-level overhaul: Cap on re-sits and shift to summer-only exams
(35 minutes later)
  By Angela Harrison Education correspondent, BBC News  By Angela Harrison Education correspondent, BBC News
England's exams watchdog Ofqual has announced a shift to summer-only exams and a cap on re-sits for A-level students in England.England's exams watchdog Ofqual has announced a shift to summer-only exams and a cap on re-sits for A-level students in England.
The watchdog has been consulting on plans to change A-levels. They are the first of what are expected to be widespread changes to the exams taken by 18-year-olds.
It has published its results and announced imminent changes which will stop exams being taken in January from 2014 onwards. The watchdog has published the results of a consultation on proposed changes.
Further changes to the content and structure of A-levels are being considered. Teachers have criticised the plans, saying there is no evidence that A-levels need reforming and that schools and pupils face "huge turbulence".
Teachers have criticised the plans, saying there is no evidence that A-levels need widespread changes and that schools and pupils face "huge turbulence".
And some exam boards say the time-frame for the changes is too tight.And some exam boards say the time-frame for the changes is too tight.
The government has previously said there are "serious problems" with the exams and that they are not "preparing pupils properly for rigorous degrees". The government believes there are "serious problems" with the exams and that they are not preparing pupils properly for university.
Ofqual canvassed opinion on proposals, which included plans to bring in new A-level courses in 2014 in some "priority subjects", with other courses introduced between 2015 and 2018 and for universities to be more involved with their design. Ofqual canvassed opinion on proposals, which included plans to bring in new A-level courses in 2014 in some "priority subjects", with other courses introduced later and for universities to be more involved with their design.
Ministers have previously criticised the modular nature of A-levels, calling for a move towards the exams being taken at the end of two years of study and more in-put from universities. Ministers have previously criticised the modular nature of A-levels, calling for exams to be taken at the end of two years of study and more in-put from universities.
At the moment, students typically take AS-levels after one year of study and then an exam called the A2 a year later - and these together make up the A-level. Some papers are also taken in January.At the moment, students typically take AS-levels after one year of study and then an exam called the A2 a year later - and these together make up the A-level. Some papers are also taken in January.
Ofqual describes its announcement as "the first phase of proposed wider A-level reforms".Ofqual describes its announcement as "the first phase of proposed wider A-level reforms".
Pupils beginning their A-level studies next September will be the first to be affected by the scrapping of the January exams. They will be tested only at the end of their first and second years of study.
A key change is that pupils will be limited to one re-sit of each exam - the following June.A key change is that pupils will be limited to one re-sit of each exam - the following June.
The watchdog said there had been concerns that allowing repeated re-sits was leading to "grade-inflation" and over-burdening schools.The watchdog said there had been concerns that allowing repeated re-sits was leading to "grade-inflation" and over-burdening schools.
"Largely fit-for-purpose""Largely fit-for-purpose"
The body's chief regulator, Glenys Stacey, said: "Earlier this year we set out our proposals for A-level reform. The results show that respondents are very supportive of the proposals we outlined to remove the January assessments. Our consultation also demonstrated broad support for our proposals regarding more involvement from higher education.The body's chief regulator, Glenys Stacey, said: "Earlier this year we set out our proposals for A-level reform. The results show that respondents are very supportive of the proposals we outlined to remove the January assessments. Our consultation also demonstrated broad support for our proposals regarding more involvement from higher education.
"The consultation followed on from Ofqual's research into perceptions of A-levels. This showed that the qualifications are considered to be largely fit-for-purpose but that there were some structural changes that could be made to improve them.""The consultation followed on from Ofqual's research into perceptions of A-levels. This showed that the qualifications are considered to be largely fit-for-purpose but that there were some structural changes that could be made to improve them."
The watchdog said key findings from the consultation showed support for exams only being taken at the end of the first and second years of study; for reduced "internal assessment" (course work) and for fewer re-sit opportunities.The watchdog said key findings from the consultation showed support for exams only being taken at the end of the first and second years of study; for reduced "internal assessment" (course work) and for fewer re-sit opportunities.
It says there was support for the idea of universities being involved with the design of A-levels - "but less support for universities endorsing each A-level".It says there was support for the idea of universities being involved with the design of A-levels - "but less support for universities endorsing each A-level".
Universities are already involved with the design of the exams, sitting on expert panels drawn up by exam boards.Universities are already involved with the design of the exams, sitting on expert panels drawn up by exam boards.
Head teachers have described the proposals as a "recipe for disaster", saying they could lead to a "two-tier system", with an over-emphasis on what universities want.Head teachers have described the proposals as a "recipe for disaster", saying they could lead to a "two-tier system", with an over-emphasis on what universities want.
'Huge turbulence''Huge turbulence'
Chris Keates, the head of the NASUWT teachers' union, said Ofqual had shown no hard evidence that the wholesale reform of A-levels was "necessary or advantageous" and that teachers and students would now face "huge turbulence and uncertainty".Chris Keates, the head of the NASUWT teachers' union, said Ofqual had shown no hard evidence that the wholesale reform of A-levels was "necessary or advantageous" and that teachers and students would now face "huge turbulence and uncertainty".
Reducing re-sit opportunities would disadvantage pupils, she said.Reducing re-sit opportunities would disadvantage pupils, she said.
"These plans are not based, as Michael Gove continues to claim, on any concern in the higher education sector of failings in the A-level system, nor on any international data, all of which shows that A-Levels continue to perform well against other comparable qualifications globally," she said. "These plans are not based, as Michael Gove continues to claim, on any concern in the higher education sector of failings in the A-level system, nor on any international data, all of which shows that A-levels continue to perform well against other comparable qualifications globally," she said.
"The only pressure that is being exerted for reform is based on the ideological agenda of the secretary of state for education who is seemingly determined to reduce the A-level to an elite university entrance exam, rather than a qualification which supports and prepares all young people to make the most of their future.""The only pressure that is being exerted for reform is based on the ideological agenda of the secretary of state for education who is seemingly determined to reduce the A-level to an elite university entrance exam, rather than a qualification which supports and prepares all young people to make the most of their future."
Exam boards are questioning the time-scale for changes.Exam boards are questioning the time-scale for changes.
Andrew Hall, head of the AQA exam body, said: "While we are pleased that the main recommendations reflect our views, we believe that the issue of timescales for the implementation of A-level reforms and the method of engagement with universities should be addressed as a matter of urgency.Andrew Hall, head of the AQA exam body, said: "While we are pleased that the main recommendations reflect our views, we believe that the issue of timescales for the implementation of A-level reforms and the method of engagement with universities should be addressed as a matter of urgency.
"On re-sits, we agree that everyone should be entitled to re-sit an exam, because anyone can have a bad day and deserves a second chance. But we have been concerned for some time that the culture of re-sits was distorting exam results.""On re-sits, we agree that everyone should be entitled to re-sit an exam, because anyone can have a bad day and deserves a second chance. But we have been concerned for some time that the culture of re-sits was distorting exam results."
The government has welcomed the changes, saying Ofqual's report shows that its reform plans are right.
A spokeswoman said: "Academics at our best universities have been concerned that there are real problems with A-levels.
"We are pleased that January exams and multiple re-sits will be scrapped, that people want less internal assessment and that universities have given such a clear signal that they want to be involved in designing A levels.
"It is enormously encouraging that there is such support for a robust and relevant new system which will allow young people to demonstrate real knowledge and understanding of their subjects."
In the consultation document published by Ofqual in June, there was a plan for exam boards to have to show that each A-level qualification had the support of at least 20 UK universities, including 12 which are respected in the field or considered to be leading research institutions.In the consultation document published by Ofqual in June, there was a plan for exam boards to have to show that each A-level qualification had the support of at least 20 UK universities, including 12 which are respected in the field or considered to be leading research institutions.
That plan has been criticised by universities and school leaders.That plan has been criticised by universities and school leaders.
Universities UK (UUK), which represents university leaders, has said it does not believe it would be "advisable or feasible" for the sector to "take ownership" of the qualifications.Universities UK (UUK), which represents university leaders, has said it does not believe it would be "advisable or feasible" for the sector to "take ownership" of the qualifications.
Wales and Northern Ireland are conducting their own separate reviews into the future of exams for 14 to 18 year olds so these changes will just affect students in England, potentially leading to different A-level exams being taken by pupils in different parts of the UK.Wales and Northern Ireland are conducting their own separate reviews into the future of exams for 14 to 18 year olds so these changes will just affect students in England, potentially leading to different A-level exams being taken by pupils in different parts of the UK.