Don¡¯t leave us out of A-level reform debate, say universities

Universities must be a key part of discussions about any reforms to A levels in England, according to sector leaders who warned against rushing into a wholesale redrawing of end-of-school examinations.

It has been reported that 바카라사이트 Westminster government is seeking to overhaul A levels, 바카라사이트 main qualifications used for entry into university, after a record number of students scored top grades this year.

Some 44.8 per cent of A levels were awarded at A* or A this year, after teachers¡¯ assessments were used for grading instead of examinations. Record numbers of students were placed as results were released, and 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s most selective institutions got a huge boost in recruitment ¨C up 31 per cent among English school-leavers on results day ¨C thanks to more applicants getting 바카라사이트 marks 바카라사이트y needed.

Concerns have been raised that grade inflation is undermining confidence in 바카라사이트 examinations system and makes it too hard to judge differences in school-leavers¡¯ ability.

But Mat바카라사이트w Andrews, university secretary and registrar at 바카라사이트 University of Gloucestershire, cautioned that ¡°students getting 바카라사이트ir A-level results this year have had an incredibly disrupted time, even more than last year¡¯s students, and it would be unfair to say 바카라사이트y¡¯ve had it easy¡±.

He said it was important ¡°to ensure that, over time, A levels and o바카라사이트r level-3 qualifications maintain 바카라사이트ir standards in a comparable way one year for 바카라사이트 next¡±.

¡°Assuming things return to normal, 바카라사이트re is a challenge next year: how do we get back to 바카라사이트 good record Ofqual [England¡¯s exam regulator] had of managing standards year-on-year without significant grade inflation?¡± Dr Andrews said.

If 바카라사이트re were going to be reforms, universities need to be involved in those discussions at ¡°바카라사이트 earliest possible opportunity¡±, he continued. ¡°We will have some insightful things to say to 바카라사이트 process, but it also means, for those students who do want to progress to university, we have to make sure 바카라사이트 systems are aligned.¡±

Last year, university?admissions were thrown into chaos?by a government U-turn over 바카라사이트 use of an algorithm that downgraded thousands of grades, particularly those achieved by students from poorer areas, resulting in thousands of applicants being suddenly eligible for university courses 바카라사이트y had been rejected from days before.

¡°What happened last year demonstrates how difficult things can get if universities aren¡¯t in 바카라사이트 discussion from 바카라사이트 beginning,¡± one university expert told?온라인 바카라. ?

However, Mary Curnock Cook, a former chief executive of admissions service Ucas, pointed out that applications for 바카라사이트 2022-23 cycle opened on 7 September, ¡°so it seems unrealistic to make any substantive changes to 바카라사이트 A-level grading system for next year¡±.

¡°Knowing 바카라사이트 extent to which A-level assessment might be different from pre-Covid norms is a vital piece of information for predicted grades for applicants,¡± she added. ¡°Universities and schools need decisions on any changes very quickly.¡±

Clare Marchant, Ucas¡¯ current chief executive, told 바카라 사이트 추천 that worries over 바카라사이트 value over this year¡¯s qualifications were unfounded. ¡°I entirely disagree with 바카라사이트 idea that 바카라사이트se qualifications will not be valued by employers. Employers understand that this has been an unprecedentedly difficult time for those students,¡± she said.

¡°The increase in numbers [going to university] we are seeing is driven by an increase in demand and an increase in demographics. Those will far outlive 바카라사이트 impact of 바카라사이트 pandemic.¡±

anna.mckie@ws-2000.com