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Michael Gove's A-level reforms will narrow pupil choice, say critics Michael Gove's A-level reforms will narrow pupil choice, say critics
(about 4 hours later)
The education secretary, Michael Gove, has been accused of narrowing young people's choices as he revealed plans to bring back traditional two-year A-levels with end-of-course exams.The education secretary, Michael Gove, has been accused of narrowing young people's choices as he revealed plans to bring back traditional two-year A-levels with end-of-course exams.
Under a major overhaul of the system, AS-levels will be separated from A-levels to become a separate qualification.Under a major overhaul of the system, AS-levels will be separated from A-levels to become a separate qualification.
Teenagers taking A-levels will no longer sit exams after one year, and will instead be tested at the end of their two-year course.Teenagers taking A-levels will no longer sit exams after one year, and will instead be tested at the end of their two-year course.
The proposals were laid out in a letter from Gove to the exams regulator Ofqual.The proposals were laid out in a letter from Gove to the exams regulator Ofqual.
In it, the education secretary says he has concluded there is a "compelling case" for a move to A-levels with final exams. In it, the education secretary says he has concluded there is a compelling case for a move to A-levels with final exams.
But the shadow education secretary, Stephen Twigg, said Gove was "turning the clock back" and the proposal would narrow young people's options.But the shadow education secretary, Stephen Twigg, said Gove was "turning the clock back" and the proposal would narrow young people's options.
Brian Lightman, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), also sounded a note of warning, saying the union was "not convinced" that AS-levels should be a separate qualification. Brian Lightman, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), also sounded a note of warning, saying the union was not convinced that AS-levels should be a separate qualification.
In his letter, first reported in the Daily Telegraph, Gove says the AS-level is regarded as a valuable qualification. In his letter, first reported in the Daily Telegraph, Gove says the AS-level is regarded as a valuable qualification.
"I have concluded that it should be retained, but that its design should be reconsidered in order to establish it as a high-quality standalone qualification," he says."I have concluded that it should be retained, but that its design should be reconsidered in order to establish it as a high-quality standalone qualification," he says.
The new AS-level should be as "intellectually demanding" as an A-level and cover half the content of a full A-level. Students could take the qualification over one or two years, he adds. The new AS-level should be as intellectually demanding as an A-level and cover half the content of a full A-level. Students could take the qualification over one or two years, he adds.
On the future of A-levels, Gove says in the letter: "Alongside a standalone AS-level qualification, I have concluded that the case for a fully linear A-level is compelling."On the future of A-levels, Gove says in the letter: "Alongside a standalone AS-level qualification, I have concluded that the case for a fully linear A-level is compelling."
The move will address concerns about pupils sitting exams in modules, and re-sits leading to grade inflation, he argues.The move will address concerns about pupils sitting exams in modules, and re-sits leading to grade inflation, he argues.
"This will allow students to develop a better understanding of their subject through the greater maturity that will be developed over two years of study – something that I know teachers believe can be particularly important for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.""This will allow students to develop a better understanding of their subject through the greater maturity that will be developed over two years of study – something that I know teachers believe can be particularly important for students from disadvantaged backgrounds."
The new A-levels will be taught from September 2015, a year later than the original timetable of September 2014.The new A-levels will be taught from September 2015, a year later than the original timetable of September 2014.
Twigg said: "Yet again Michael Gove is all about turning the clock back. This plan would narrow the options for young people."Twigg said: "Yet again Michael Gove is all about turning the clock back. This plan would narrow the options for young people."
He said there was a need for more "high-quality options" available at 16, including all young people studying maths and English until they are 18. He said there was a need for more "high-quality options" available at 16, including all young people studying maths and English until 18.
Lightman said that preparation for university was "only one part of the purpose of A-levels" and the qualification had "far more purposes than that".Lightman said that preparation for university was "only one part of the purpose of A-levels" and the qualification had "far more purposes than that".
"Schools leaders will have no problem with adjusting or extending A-level specifications to ensure that at the highest levels these examinations prepare students for the most demanding university courses, but we are not convinced by the case for wholesale reform of this exam, which is a very successful qualification," he said."Schools leaders will have no problem with adjusting or extending A-level specifications to ensure that at the highest levels these examinations prepare students for the most demanding university courses, but we are not convinced by the case for wholesale reform of this exam, which is a very successful qualification," he said.
"The AS-level is valued in schools as a way of broadening the curriculum. We are not convinced that it should be a separate qualification.""The AS-level is valued in schools as a way of broadening the curriculum. We are not convinced that it should be a separate qualification."
Under the current system, sixth-formers often sit four or five AS-levels, taking exams after one year before deciding which to drop and which to continue to A-level.Under the current system, sixth-formers often sit four or five AS-levels, taking exams after one year before deciding which to drop and which to continue to A-level.
AS-levels, and the two-stage system, were introduced by the last Labour government under the Curriculum 2000 reforms.AS-levels, and the two-stage system, were introduced by the last Labour government under the Curriculum 2000 reforms.
Gove's new proposals effectively move the A-level system back to where it was before Curriculum 2000.Gove's new proposals effectively move the A-level system back to where it was before Curriculum 2000.
The plans, which come the day before the publication of GCSE and A-level league tables for schools in England, could raise concerns among some universities which use AS-level marks when making decisions about making offers for degree courses.The plans, which come the day before the publication of GCSE and A-level league tables for schools in England, could raise concerns among some universities which use AS-level marks when making decisions about making offers for degree courses.
In his letter, Gove says there is "clear dissatisfaction" among leading university academics about how A-level students are being prepared for further studies. In his letter, Gove says there is clear dissatisfaction among leading university academics about how A-level students are being prepared for further studies.
"I am concerned that some natural science degrees have become four-year courses to compensate for problems with A-levels. Linguists complain about the inadequacy of university entrants' foreign language skills. Mathematicians are concerned that current A-level questions are overly structured and encourage a formulaic approach, instead of using more open-ended questions that require advanced problem-solving.""I am concerned that some natural science degrees have become four-year courses to compensate for problems with A-levels. Linguists complain about the inadequacy of university entrants' foreign language skills. Mathematicians are concerned that current A-level questions are overly structured and encourage a formulaic approach, instead of using more open-ended questions that require advanced problem-solving."
Gove also reveals that the Russell Group, which represents a group of 24 leading universities, is to set up an organisation that will provide Ofqual with advice on the content of A-levels. It will focus on the subjects which are most commonly required to gain entry to a top university, he says.Gove also reveals that the Russell Group, which represents a group of 24 leading universities, is to set up an organisation that will provide Ofqual with advice on the content of A-levels. It will focus on the subjects which are most commonly required to gain entry to a top university, he says.
Ofqual conducted a three-month consultation into the future of A-levels last year. In November, the regulator announced plans to scrap January exams, and to give students fewer chances to re-sit papers.Ofqual conducted a three-month consultation into the future of A-levels last year. In November, the regulator announced plans to scrap January exams, and to give students fewer chances to re-sit papers.