Ofqual's 'A New Look at Standards'
Thursday, 13 October 2011 16:32
Exams regulator Ofqual, today (Thursday, October 13) gathered together education professionals and other interested parties to take a new look at the debate over 'standards'.
The event, 'A New Look at Standards', featured a key note address from the Secretary of State for Education, The Right Honourable Michael Gove MP.
He raised a number of questions for Ofqual and the wider education community. These included questions around the trend for increased pass rates each year, the future awarding of the A* at A level and ranking of candidates.
Ofqual Chair Amanda Spielman spoke about the role of the regulator, and Chief Executive Glenys Stacey presented delegates with Ofqual’s perspective on qualification content and grading, the evidence available about standards, as well as the importance of the debate to the organisation.
Tim Oates, Group Director of Assessment Research and Development for Cambridge Assessment, asked 'what should we want from GCSEs and A levels?'.
Dennis Opposs, Ofqual's Director of Standards, informed delegates of the initial findings of the work carried out to compare A levels with equivalent qualifications in a number of other countries and jurisdictions.
He said A levels came out strongly in the initial findings. He also identified a number of features within other systems that were of particular interest. These included use of independent research and extended essays as part of baccalaureate or diploma-style assessment systems and the more common use of multiple choice in other systems.
The afternoon session featured two panel discussions, one on the subject of qualification content, and the other on grading. Both were chaired by Education Consultant Mike Baker.
During the discussion on the content of qualifications, key themes included:
- The effort and resources needed to implement change
- The contrasting views on the value of the information generated by qualifications
- Tension between breadth across the curriculum and depth of study
- The challenge of implementing changes in a way that protects the system and learners
- Public understanding of the exam system
The main themes during the discussion on grading were:
- The complexity of the grading process
- Possibility of involving students more in the evaluation of qualifications
- Difficulty of getting definitive evidence around grading
- Tension between reform and stability
Glenys Stacey said: "This debate has been timely. What we have discussed today will feed into and inform our work as we develop a new three-year-strategy, to be published in the new year.
"We will also take the messages from today to feed in to the development of future A levels and GCSEs, as Ofqual prepares to play its part in strengthening the next generation of qualifications. So, there is still a lot to do, and we would like to thank everyone for their valuable contributions today."
View information from the event, including video footage, speeches and presentations.
Michael Gove’s speech will be available through the Department for Education.
