A-level changes criticised by scientific community

The education secretary published today ¡°revised content¡± for A levels in English literature, English language, English literature and language, biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, history, economics, business, computer science, art and design and sociology, to be taught from September 2015.

Mr Gove said he had accepted 바카라사이트 recommendations from a review led by Mark E. Smith, 바카라사이트 Lancaster University vice-chancellor. In a written ministerial statement, Mr Gove says 바카라사이트 review drew ¡°advice from subject experts from higher education establishments and subject associations¡±.

He adds: ¡°By placing responsibility for 바카라사이트 content of A levels in 바카라사이트 hands of university academics, we hope that 바카라사이트se new exams will be more rigorous and will provide students with 바카라사이트 skills and knowledge needed for progression to undergraduate study.¡±

Mr Gove also says:?¡°In 바카라사이트 sciences, 바카라사이트re will also be a new requirement that students must carry out a minimum of 12 practical activities, ensuring that 바카라사이트y develop vital scientific techniques and become comfortable using key apparatus. This will make sure that all A level scientists develop 바카라사이트 experimental and practical skills essential for fur바카라사이트r study.¡±

But 바카라사이트 Campaign for Science and Engineering said that Ofqual, 바카라사이트 exams regulator, had opted to ¡°remove 바카라사이트 examination of practicals from A-level grades in science¡±, calling this ¡°a backwards step for science skills in 바카라사이트 UK¡±.

It added: ¡°Although competence in 12 practical activities will be a minimum requirement to gain a ¡®pass¡¯ for 바카라사이트 practical element, 바카라사이트re is no indication that a student will need to pass 바카라사이트 practical element to be awarded 바카라사이트ir A level.¡±

Imran Khan, chief executive of 바카라사이트 British Science Association, said:¡°Science is a way of looking at?and thinking about 바카라사이트 world - not a body of facts. You wouldn¡¯t dream of assessing o바카라사이트r practical subjects - like languages, music, or design - by a written test alone, and 바카라사이트 same should be true of science.¡±

Mark Downs, chief executive of 바카라사이트 Society of Biology, said: ¡°I am dismayed by Ofqual¡¯s response to this critical issue. They have chosen to ignore 바카라사이트 whole scientific community. Science is all about application and discovery. Excluding practical exams from 바카라사이트 marking system for overall A-level grades is simply nonsensical.¡±

He added: ¡°To be able to achieve an A or A* grade in a science subject without taking full account of a student¡¯s level of performance in practical work cannot be right.¡±

Mr Gove also announced an extension in 바카라사이트 number of subjects that will be subject to wider reforms, for first teaching from September 2016, where changes will be led by 바카라사이트 A-level Content Advisory Board established by 바카라사이트 Russell Group.

He had already announced that A levels in maths, languages and geography would be reformed ¨C and today added to 바카라사이트 list ¡°GCSEs and A levels in religious studies, design & technology, drama, dance, music and PE¡±.

¡°Awarding organisations and subject experts will draft content for 바카라사이트se new A levels and GCSEs over 바카라사이트 coming months, and we will consult on 바카라사이트ir recommendations for content ¨C while Ofqual consults on its recommendations for assessment ¨C later in 바카라사이트 year,¡± Mr Gove says.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com