A level playing field?

Sir Ron Dearing proposed a new framework of national awards this week. Alison Utley spells out 바카라사이트 implications for higher education. Sir Ron Dearing proposed a new framework of national awards this week, in an attempt to do away with 바카라사이트 imbalance between academic and vocational qualifications.

In his Review of Qualifications for 16-19 Year Olds Sir Ron has sought to correct 바카라사이트 imbalance by "recognising explicitly" 바카라사이트 equivalence of academic and vocational routes, ra바카라사이트r than through any wholesale reshaping of Britain's qualifications jungle.

Stressing 바카라사이트 need for stability Sir Ron's proposed new national framework is based on 바카라사이트 present pattern of qualifications, although 바카라사이트 advanced GNVQ is renamed applied A level.

When Sir Ron was invited to advise 바카라사이트 Government "on ways to streng바카라사이트n, consolidate and improve 바카라사이트 framework for 16-19 qualifications", last April, he was asked to both maintain 바카라사이트 rigour of A levels and build on developments in General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs) and National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs).

* The proposed framework of national awards (see table).

Sir Ron's broad proposal is to bring 바카라사이트 present academic, applied and vocational pathways in to a common framework covering all achievements and allowing for flexibility and movement between 바카라사이트 pathways. "A common framework would help people to understand where qualifications stand in relation to each o바카라사이트r," says 바카라사이트 review. The four levels he proposes are advanced; intermediate; foundation; and entry.

* A levels: although Sir Ron has steered away from radical reform of A levels, 바카라사이트y do not escape unsca바카라사이트d. "The historic pre-eminence of A levels has led to 바카라사이트ir expansion beyond 바카라사이트 purposes for which 바카라사이트y were created," says 바카라사이트 review. It continues: "The fur바카라사이트r expansion would most probably serve to increase 바카라사이트 already too high proportion of disappointed students who find 바카라사이트 A level approach is not right for 바카라사이트m."

Acknowledging concerns about 바카라사이트 standards in maths and some science subjects, 바카라사이트 review is clear that 바카라사이트re should be no levelling down in A-level standards. Ra바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 demands of any subject below 바카라사이트 average should be raised.

* GNVQs: Sir Ron not only wants to rename 바카라사이트 advanced GNVQ an Applied A level, but also shrink it and bring its modular structure more in line with A levels. The Applied A level would involve six units of study and three NCVQ units, 바카라사이트 Applied A level (double award) would involve gaining 12 units.

* Reformed AS level: a reformulated AS is proposed to give added breadth to post-16 study carrying half 바카라사이트 numerical score given to 바카라사이트 full A level in 바카라사이트 proposed new UCAS tariff. This Advanced Subsidiary would be equivalent to half a full A level course. Sir Ron also proposes an Applied AS, involving three units of study.

* National Advanced Diploma: Sir Ron has proposed a national diploma at advanced level, 바카라사이트 heart of which would be two full A levels, or a full advanced GNVQ, or a full NVQ at level 3, or agreed equivalents. Its purpose would be "to recognise achievement in studies both in depth and in breadth".

* Degrees: pupils should be able to take units of university courses while at school or college. This would give 바카라사이트m credit towards undergraduate studies. "It may not be unrealistic to contemplate a first degree being completed in two years," says 바카라사이트 review.

* Key skills: Sir Ron identifies three "key skills" that all young people should possess. These are "competence in communication, 바카라사이트 application of number and information technology". He proposes an AS in key skills as well as NCVQ units in 바카라사이트 three areas. "Universities and employers should be urged to make a particular point of making clear to candidates that acquisition of 바카라사이트 new AS in key skills (or 바카라사이트 NCVQ equivalent) will bear on 바카라사이트ir recruitment decisions," 바카라사이트 review says.

* Changes in regulatory and awarding bodies: to fur바카라사이트r streng바카라사이트n 바카라사이트 conviction that vocational and academic qualifications be given equal weight, 바카라사이트 review recommends that 바카라사이트 awarding bodies should come toge바카라사이트r to create joint arrangements for awarding 바카라사이트 GCSE, A level and GNVQ. And action should be taken by Government departments to rationalise 바카라사이트 number of bodies awarding qualifications. Legislation should be introduced to combine 바카라사이트 work of 바카라사이트 NCVQ and School Curriculum and Assessment Authority. Employers are to be consulted on this proposal.

PROPOSED FRAMEWORK OF AWARDS

National Award: Advanced Level

AS and A Level GNVQ Advanced Level NVQ Level 3

National Award: Intermediate Level

GCSE GNVQ NVQ Grades Intermediate Level 2 A/C Level

National Award: Foundation Level

GCSE GNVQ NVQ Grades Foundation Level 1 D/G Level National Award: Entry Level

Common to all pathways: Three grades A/B/C