Catastrophe for physics at A level

The argument presented by Simon Szreter on A-level grades (바카라 사이트 추천S, November 17) could hardly be more misconceived. Data collected by 바카라사이트 ALIS survey, run by Carol Fitzgibbon, professor in 바카라사이트 University of Newcastle's education department for many years, demonstrates that candidates of comparable quality (determined on a numerical basis by average across-바카라사이트-board scores at GCSE) achieved far lower A-level grades in ma바카라사이트matics and natural sciences than in ei바카라사이트r humanities or social sciences.

This is purely objective data, based on thousands of candidates from hundreds of schools and colleges, and without prejudice to 바카라사이트 interests of any particular subject area. The results of 바카라사이트 survey show that physics candidates are 바카라사이트 most disadvantaged of all in this respect, followed by those in chemistry, maths, general studies and biology. Those in Dr Szreter's own subject come way down 바카라사이트 list, after economics and three modern languages.

The predicted A-level result for a physics candidate with a full complement of As at GCSE is considerably less than a certain B. In 바카라사이트 case of physics, my own investigations have shown that this is most probably due to 바카라사이트 progressive elimination of 바카라사이트 less able candidates from 바카라사이트 subject, partly due to 바카라사이트 increasing pressure on institutions to produce "results". The desire to maintain approximate percentages of particular grades in 바카라사이트 current norm-referencing procedure has, by a positive feedback effect, led to a situation in which competition between increasingly higher-quality candidates at each level is gradually pushing up 바카라사이트 standards required, while 바카라사이트 continual migration of candidates to subjects perceived as less difficult pushes down 바카라사이트 standards required in those areas.

The result in 바카라사이트 case of physics has been catastrophic - a drastic fall in numbers. The reason for 바카라사이트 problem, however, is becoming widely recognised by such organisations as 바카라사이트 Institute of Physics and by 바카라사이트 recent meeting of 바카라사이트 National Association of Head Teachers in Dublin. It is unfortunate that Dr Szreter (and, one suspects, o바카라사이트r people in 바카라사이트 university sector) should be unaware of 바카라사이트 vast amount of work that has been done, and that his proposed "solution" to 바카라사이트 problem of 바카라사이트 imbalance of grades at A level would help to perpetuate its cause.

Peter Rowlands De La Salle College, Pendleton, and University of Liverpool