GCSE and A level reform
Phil Carr and Laura DouganReform Managers, Ofqual
Contents
Aims and purposes of reformed qualifications
Responsibilities for reform
What new GCSEs, AS and A levels look like
Timetable for reform
Policy aims - GCSEs
Increase in demand– More challenging subject content– More rigorous assessment structures– Provide stretching assessment
Remain the same size
Move to linear structure with assessment at the end of the course
Limit tiering
New grading scale
Introduce first reformed subjects ready to teach in September 2015
Purpose of GCSEs
The primary purpose of new GCSEs is to provide evidence of students’ achievements against demanding and fulfilling content, a strong foundation for further academic and vocational study and for employment. If required, they should be able to provide a basis for schools and colleges to be held accountable for the performance of all their students.
Policy aims – AS & A level
Progression to HE improved by HE involvement in development
A level and AS will be separate qualifications
Move to linear structure with assessment at the end of the course
Qualification standard and grading scale will remain the same
Purpose of A levels
define and assess achievement of the knowledge, skills and understanding which will be needed by students planning to progress to further study and employment
set out a robust and internationally comparable post-16 academic course of study to develop that knowledge, skills and understanding
permit UK universities to accurately identify the level of attainment of students
provide a basis for school and college accountability measures at age 18
provide a benchmark of academic ability for employers
Responsibilities for reform
Government – Department for Education
Decides overall policy on qualifications
Arrangements for content/curriculum development
Ofqual
Responsible for securing overall standards in qualifications
Sets rules for, and monitors, exam board performance
Sets criteria for design of qualifications (eg how they are structured, how they are assessed) and accredits GCSEs and AS/A levels
Oversees awarding of GCSEs, AS and A levels to ensure standards are maintained consistently and fairly
Exam boards
Design and deliver qualifications
Ofqual’s reform decisions
We are driving improvements to assessments and increasing inter-board comparability so that we can better meet the described purposes of GCSEs and A levels
We are doing this by:
Requiring core content – each exam board specification should cover the same core of content– tackles potential to compete over content, but should still allow innovation
Tightening assessment objectives– assessment objectives are being more carefully and precisely expressed
and proportioned– reduce the potential for objectives to be ‘variably interpreted’
Continues…
Ofqual’s reform decisions
…Continued
Agreeing industry standards/Conditions and Guidance– a common approach to working towards quality qualifications– Help to develop agreed aspects of good assessment and avoid adverse
impact of competition
Requiring assessment strategies– exam boards have to produce strategies explaining how they will develop
good assessments– used in accreditation process, to ensure strategy is being followed in the
development of assessment materials
What will new GCSEs look like?
Structure – linear, with all exams in the summer at the end of the course
Assessment – exam where possible, other forms of assessment only where necessary to assess essential subject skills
Tiered assessments – only where necessary
Standard – accessible to the same proportion of Key Stage 4 students as at present
Grading – new numbered scale from 9 to 1 (plus U), 9 is the highest
New GCSE 1 to 9 grading system
What will reformed AS/A levels look like?
Broadly fit for purpose, but that there are areas for improvement
Structure – all exams in the summer at the end of the course
Assessment – exam where possible, other forms of assessment only where
necessary to assess essential subjects skills
Grading – staying the same as now, A/A*- E (& U)
Demand – same level of challenge as current AS/A levels
Reforms to GCSE, AS and A level
Timetable
September 2016September 2015 September 2017
First teaching of 1st tranche of new GCSEs
and A levels
2nd tranche of new GCSEs and A levels
start to be taught
Remaining subjects at all levels start to be taught. Any subjects
not reformed and approved by then will
be withdrawn.
September 2015
MathsEnglish languageEnglish literature
English language English literatureEnglish language and literatureBiologyChemistry PhysicsPsychologyComputer scienceBusinessHistoryArt and designEconomicsSociology
GCSEs A levels and AS
Geography History
Biology Chemistry
Physics Double science
Ancient languagesModern foreign languages
MusicArt and design
Physical educationComputer scienceReligious studies
Citizenship studiesFood preparation and nutrition
Dance Drama
GeographyModern foreign languagesAncient languagesReligious studiesDrama and theatreDanceMusicPhysical education
GCSEs
September 2016
A levels and AS
GCSEs A levels and AS
September 2017
MathsFurther Maths
Design and technology
…and the other subjects exam boards choose to develop that meet our development principles.
Our development principles
• GCSEs, A levels and AS qualifications should only be developed where:
• The subject is distinct from others – leading to some detailed proposals on subjects that are similar to reformed subjects
• The qualification will fulfil the GCSE/A level purposes
• Performance can be differentiated using the full grading scale
• The qualification will be at an appropriate level of demand
• The content can be validly assessed
Qualifications are being approved – accredited – by Ofqual– Exam boards submit their specifications and we check they meet the
set criteria
There is no absolute timetable – we will only approve the qualifications when they are right
Find out which qualifications have been accredited so far here:
www.ofqual.gov.uk/qualifications-and-assessments/qualification- reform/accredited-reformed-qualifications/
Accreditation
Find out more
Visit
www.gov.uk/ofqual
Questions?
call Ofqual’s helpdesk – 0300 303 3346
email – [email protected]
tweet – @ofqual
For more information on curriculum and content, contact the Department for Education
www.gov.uk/dfe