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Degrees 'should give more detail' | Degrees 'should give more detail' |
(1 day later) | |
University exam results should be supplemented with more detailed information about students' achievements, says a report. | University exam results should be supplemented with more detailed information about students' achievements, says a report. |
But an inquiry conducted by university leaders says it has not found any better degree classification system. | But an inquiry conducted by university leaders says it has not found any better degree classification system. |
So grades such as first class, 2:1 and 2:2 will continue alongside a pilot scheme giving more detailed exam marks. | So grades such as first class, 2:1 and 2:2 will continue alongside a pilot scheme giving more detailed exam marks. |
This will give employers more "fine grain" information about graduates' abilities, says their report. | This will give employers more "fine grain" information about graduates' abilities, says their report. |
'Updating' | 'Updating' |
The inquiry team, chaired by Professor Bob Burgess of Leicester University, has been considering how to improve the system of showing students' achievements. | The inquiry team, chaired by Professor Bob Burgess of Leicester University, has been considering how to improve the system of showing students' achievements. |
The way forward is building upon the current classification system and augmenting it Professor Bob Burgess | The way forward is building upon the current classification system and augmenting it Professor Bob Burgess |
An initial inquiry report, in 2004, argued that the current system was "no longer fit for purpose". | An initial inquiry report, in 2004, argued that the current system was "no longer fit for purpose". |
And there have been concerns that the broad brush of the present grades - in which almost 60% of students receive a first or 2:1 - fails to distinguish between candidates. | And there have been concerns that the broad brush of the present grades - in which almost 60% of students receive a first or 2:1 - fails to distinguish between candidates. |
Their concluding report still argues that the "degree classification system needs updating". | Their concluding report still argues that the "degree classification system needs updating". |
But it proposes retaining the current grades - on the basis that there is no evidence of an acceptable alternative. | But it proposes retaining the current grades - on the basis that there is no evidence of an acceptable alternative. |
"Would it make good sense to take the classifications away? I doubt it," said Prof Burgess - who says his committee considered many other systems used worldwide but failed to find any likely to be adopted in the UK. | "Would it make good sense to take the classifications away? I doubt it," said Prof Burgess - who says his committee considered many other systems used worldwide but failed to find any likely to be adopted in the UK. |
"The way forward is building upon the current classification system and augmenting it." | "The way forward is building upon the current classification system and augmenting it." |
The inquiry rejected ideas such as introducing more grades within the 2:1 band; having a simplified system of pass, fail and distinction, or using a specific percentage mark. | The inquiry rejected ideas such as introducing more grades within the 2:1 band; having a simplified system of pass, fail and distinction, or using a specific percentage mark. |
Degree distinction | Degree distinction |
Instead, it proposes piloting a parallel system - to be called a Higher Education Achievement Report (Hear) - which would provide a detailed breakdown of marks in exam papers and course modules. | |
This would run alongside the existing grades, at first for a sample of students, with the possibility of a national roll-out from 2010-11. | This would run alongside the existing grades, at first for a sample of students, with the possibility of a national roll-out from 2010-11. |
Such a transcript would give employers more precise information about strengths and weaknesses than a single classification, says Prof Burgess. | Such a transcript would give employers more precise information about strengths and weaknesses than a single classification, says Prof Burgess. |
The report - Beyond the Honours Degree Classification - says the current classifications could eventually be replaced by a more detailed record. | The report - Beyond the Honours Degree Classification - says the current classifications could eventually be replaced by a more detailed record. |
"We intend that the existing degree classification system will decline in importance until it should no longer be considered necessary," says the report. | "We intend that the existing degree classification system will decline in importance until it should no longer be considered necessary," says the report. |
But Prof Burgess made it clear that there was no imminent likelihood of the 200-year-old system being removed. | But Prof Burgess made it clear that there was no imminent likelihood of the 200-year-old system being removed. |
"You could say that the report is aspirational - but how many years it could take to reach the aspiration is less clear," he said. | "You could say that the report is aspirational - but how many years it could take to reach the aspiration is less clear," he said. |
'Disappointed' | 'Disappointed' |
Degree grading has already survived the Dearing Report into higher education, which concluded in 1997 that the "honours classification system has outlived its usefulness". | Degree grading has already survived the Dearing Report into higher education, which concluded in 1997 that the "honours classification system has outlived its usefulness". |
The proportion of students awarded firsts and 2:1s has risen steadily since the 1980s - with warnings that some graduate employers are rejecting the minority who achieve only a 2:2, a grade that once would have been the most common outcome. | The proportion of students awarded firsts and 2:1s has risen steadily since the 1980s - with warnings that some graduate employers are rejecting the minority who achieve only a 2:2, a grade that once would have been the most common outcome. |
A report from the Quality Assurance Agency has also argued that the grading system lacks the transparency necessary to compare degrees from different institutions. | A report from the Quality Assurance Agency has also argued that the grading system lacks the transparency necessary to compare degrees from different institutions. |
The Burgess report will be considered by university leaders and, if adopted, any future decision on degree grades will be taken after the piloting of the Hear. | |
England's Higher Education Minister, Bill Rammell, welcomed the proposal to provide additional exam information. | England's Higher Education Minister, Bill Rammell, welcomed the proposal to provide additional exam information. |
"However, I wish to be clear that I believe progress can best be made by building on the current system, and certainly not by replacing degree classifications," said Mr Rammell. | "However, I wish to be clear that I believe progress can best be made by building on the current system, and certainly not by replacing degree classifications," said Mr Rammell. |
But the National Union of Students said it was "disappointed that the pace and scale of the proposed reforms have been frustrated by some sections of the higher education sector". | But the National Union of Students said it was "disappointed that the pace and scale of the proposed reforms have been frustrated by some sections of the higher education sector". |
Mike Harris, head of education and skills policy at the Institute of Directors, said many employers would welcome receiving greater detail on students' achievements. | |
"However, the determination ultimately to replace the current system remains clear. | |
"This would be a mistake. Whilst not flawless, it is well understood by employers and is an important recruiting aid." |
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