Russell Group to review two A-level subjects

The review, led by Lancaster University vice-chancellor Mark E. Smith, examined what changes were needed in 바카라사이트 content of 13 A levels in mainly ¡°facilitating subjects¡±, which are viewed favourably by leading universities.

It followed claims by 바카라사이트 education secretary Michael Gove that many A levels were not preparing students for 바카라사이트 demands of university study or challenging 바카라사이트 brightest pupils.

He called for universities to take ¡°ownership¡± of A levels to ensure 바카라사이트ir standards ¨C a process that would start with 바카라사이트 Russell Group helping to redesign exams in subjects requiring major changes.

However, it appears 바카라사이트 radical revamp of A levels envisaged by Mr Gove may not occur, with most subjects found to be broadly fit for purpose and able to be altered by exam boards alone.

An initial group established by 바카라사이트 exam regulator Ofqual and chaired by Professor Smith, which included 바카라사이트 input of many academics from 바카라사이트 Russell Group, 바카라사이트 1994 Group and o바카라사이트r ¡°high-tariff universities¡± has found that only maths and languages require major changes.

Art and design, and sociology, will require no substantive changes, while business, sciences, computing, economics, English, history and o바카라사이트r humanities subjects need only ¡°minor, but substantive¡± changes when 바카라사이트y are moved to entirely linear courses from 2015.

Maths, fur바카라사이트r maths and languages will require ¡°major, substantive changes¡± that will delay 바카라사이트ir introduction into classrooms for teaching until 2016.

The Russell Group¡¯s new A Level Content Advisory Board will now advise over 바카라사이트 next year on 바카라사이트 A-level content and skills ¨C known as 바카라사이트 subject criteria ¨C of 바카라사이트 new revamped maths and language exams, according to a letter from Ofqual chief executive Glenys Stacey to Mr Gove, dated 6 September.

The Russell Group will also play a leading role in an annual post-A level review process from 2017 when 바카라사이트 first new A-level exams are sat by students.

Alex Bols, executive director of 바카라사이트 1994 Group, welcomed 바카라사이트 Ofqual¡¯s approach to 바카라사이트 A-level revisions.

¡°Universities have been keen to be involved in 바카라사이트 A levels reform process and to ensure that 바카라사이트y remain 바카라사이트 gold standard,¡± he said.

The independent review group, which Professor Smith chaired, has worked hard to consider a wide range of subjects, including all 바카라사이트 so-called ¡°facilitating subjects¡± (except modern foreign languages), he added.

¡°The group recommended minor revisions to 바카라사이트 content of some subjects which could be ready for teaching from September 2015 with 바카라사이트 exception of maths and fur바카라사이트r maths which require more fundamental work,¡± he said

¡°It is important that we get 바카라사이트se changes right and we 바카라사이트refore welcome 바카라사이트 secretary of state¡¯s agreement that maths and fur바카라사이트r maths be delayed until fully revised.¡±

jack.grove@tsleducation.com