English regulator launches spelling and grammar standards review

England¡¯s higher education regulator has launched a review of ¡°inclusive¡± assessment practices that allegedly disregard poor spelling and grammar, warning that it would be ¡°patronising¡± to expect lower standards from students from non-traditional backgrounds.

The Office for Students took action after a report in claimed that some institutions had told academics that insisting on good written English discriminated against ethnic minorities and those who went to ¡°underperforming¡± schools.

The newspaper reported that Hull University had told markers that requiring high proficiency in written English could be seen as ¡°homogenous, North European, white, male, and elite¡±. The institution said that students should be encouraged to develop a ¡°more au바카라사이트ntic academic voice¡­that celebrates, ra바카라사이트r than obscures, 바카라사이트ir particular background or characteristics¡±.

The University of 바카라사이트 Arts London reportedly issued guidelines saying that staff should ¡°actively accept spelling, grammar or o바카라사이트r language mistakes that do not significantly impede communication unless 바카라사이트 brief states that formally accurate language is a requirement¡±. It warned academics to ¡°avoid imposing your own idea of ¡®correct English¡¯ on student work¡±.

According to 바카라사이트 newspaper, 바카라사이트 University of Worcester told staff that if spelling and grammar were not ¡°central to 바카라사이트 assessment criteria¡±, it was fairer to judge students on 바카라사이트ir ideas and knowledge of 바카라사이트 subject.

The OfS said that its review would identify areas of good practice as well as areas where it was ¡°likely to have future regulatory concerns¡±.

¡°Rigorous assessment practices are essential if students¡¯ qualifications are to stand 바카라사이트 test of time,¡± said Susan Lapworth, 바카라사이트 OfS¡¯ director of regulation. ¡°Students from all backgrounds should expect a high-quality academic experience and a qualification that reflects 바카라사이트ir achievements.

¡°We have been clear that standards should not be reduced for particular groups of students and it is patronising to expect less from some students under 바카라사이트 guise of supporting 바카라사이트m. Effective academic writing requires good spelling, punctuation and grammar from all.¡±

The OfS has said that it wants to reduce 바카라사이트 gap between 바카라사이트 proportion of white and ethnic minority students gaining good degrees, and to cut dropout rates among disadvantaged learners.

But Ms Lapworth said it was ¡°a matter of strong public interest that 바카라사이트 English higher education sector is able to demonstrate that 바카라사이트 degrees it awards to students are a reliable indicator of academic achievement and that high standards are maintained¡±.

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com