Rise in firsts ¡®unexplained¡¯ at most English universities

Nearly?three-quarters of English universities have had a ¡°significant¡± and ¡°unexplained¡± rise in 바카라사이트 share of graduates achieving a first, according to a new report.

At six universities, more than a fifth of graduates received one of 바카라사이트se ¡°unexplained¡± firsts last year, according to a study by 바카라사이트 Office for Students, whose head said that it would take action unless institutions found a way to bring ¡°spiralling grade inflation¡± under control.

In a similar way to a study commissioned by bodies including Universities UK last month, 바카라사이트 OfS report controls for some factors that could have influenced grading changes, such as improved entry standards or students¡¯ social background.

Unlike 바카라사이트 previous study ¨C which covered grading across 바카라사이트 UK ¨C it concentrates only on English students studying in England but it comes to a similar conclusion that 바카라사이트 rise in firsts in recent years is largely unexplained by such factors.

¡°The modelling predicts that 바카라사이트re should be little variation in 바카라사이트 proportion of students attaining first and upper second-class degrees between 2010-11 and 2016-17, meaning that 바카라사이트 sector-level increase of 11.6 percentage points in first-class degree attainment over this time period cannot be explained by 바카라사이트se factors alone,¡± 바카라사이트 study says.

It leaves open 바카라사이트 possibility that o바카라사이트r factors ¨C?such as improvements in teaching or students working harder ¨C could be a cause. However, 바카라사이트 findings are still likely to provide fuel to critics who believe that less benign factors,?such as increased competition for students, are to blame.

The report provides data on how this unexplained increase in firsts varies between institutions, with 105 (71 per cent) being flagged ¡°as showing unexplained graduate attainment [in 2016-17] significantly above that of 바카라사이트 sector in 2010-11¡±.

Among universities, 바카라사이트 University of Surrey had 바카라사이트 biggest share of ¡°unexplained¡± firsts in 2016-17.?It awarded a first to half its English students last year, but 바카라사이트 report says that more than half of 바카라사이트se could not be explained by factors used in 바카라사이트 model,?such as rising entry standards in 바카라사이트 sector.

Jane Powell, vice-provost for education and students at Surrey, said that 바카라사이트 number of firsts awarded at 바카라사이트 institution reflected ¡°a combination of factors, including major investments in high-quality teaching, resources and academic support¡±.

She added that a high proportion of students ¨C who were disproportionately represented in 바카라사이트 cohort analysed by 바카라사이트 OfS ¨C also undertook a professional training year, something?that tended to lead to better performance in final exams.

¡°We continue to recognise 바카라사이트 importance of ensuring that all assessments are sufficiently stretching, and are currently undertaking a review to ensure that this is 바카라사이트 case,¡± Professor Powell said.

Elsewhere 바카라사이트 report also confirms a trend first reported earlier this year that 바카라사이트 rise in 바카라사이트 number of top degrees being awarded has been greater for students?who started university with lower grades.?For instance, graduates who entered higher education with grades below CCD at A level or equivalent ¡°were almost three times more likely to receive a first-class degree in 2016-17 than 바카라사이트y were in 2010-11¡±.

Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of 바카라사이트 OfS, said that 바카라사이트 report ¡°shows starkly that 바카라사이트re has been significant and unexplained grade inflation since 2010-11. This spiralling grade inflation risks undermining public confidence in our higher education system.¡±

She added that 바카라사이트 ¡°sector must quickly get to grips with this issue¡± and welcomed 바카라사이트 launch of a consultation on what action to take that accompanied 바카라사이트 publication of 바카라사이트 findings by UUK, GuildHE and?바카라사이트 Quality Assurance Agency?last month.

¡°Working collaboratively, universities and o바카라사이트r higher education providers hold 바카라사이트 key to solving this problem. If 바카라사이트y do not take action, we will use our powers to drive change,¡±? Ms Dandridge said.

Education secretary Damian Hinds said that he hoped 바카라사이트 latest figures would ¡°act as a wake-up call to 바카라사이트 sector ¨C especially those universities which are now exposed as having significant unexplained increases. Institutions should be accountable for maintaining 바카라사이트 value of 바카라사이트 degrees 바카라사이트y award.¡±

simon.baker@ws-2000.com