[Maths-Education] Exam reform in England - unresolved issues

[Sue Pope]

Colleagues may be interested in the recent publication arising from SOSS.
Sent by Sue Pope on behalf of Trevor Fisher

Exam Reform in the
Spotlight
 
At
the start of the next school year, new specifications will be unveiled for
reformed GCSE and A Level exams.  These
will bring with them high level risks for the exam system in England driven by
seriously questionable assumptions by Michael Gove and his allies. As the
Education Select Committee  is to hold an
investigation into 15-19 exam reform, it is time to scrutinize the reforms. 
 
The
new pamphlet EXAM REFORM – UNRESOLVED ISSUES focuses on key issues for
immediate consideration. . The underlying philosophy needs more debate than it
has received, appearing to be driven by an intention to turn the clock back to
the 1950s. The immediate need is to decouple exam reform from the timetable
currently driving the system towards first teaching in September 2015, for
Mathematics and English GCSE. The majority of A Levels are also scheduled for
September 2015 apart from A Level Mathematics and Languages.
 
The
current priority is to subject the changes in the pipeline to proper scrutiny.
It is remarkable that the proposals are not to be trialled, tested or piloted
in any way. Given the problems thrown up by the 2001 A Level and 2012  GCSE reforms, piloting is the minimum
required to restore public confidence in exams – one of the core objectives of
the Coalition Government.
 
The
issues are particularly acute for Mathematics and Science. Contributions from
Sue Pope, chair of the general council of the Association of Mathematics
Teachers, and Professor Margaret Brown, of Kings College London, highlight the
problems for Mathematics. These have consequences for science which are yet to
be fully assessed. 
 
The
pamphlet is available, price for one copy £2 (inc p&p), from VIEWPOINT PO
Box 3599, Stafford ST16 9RD. Extra copies are £1.25 each for 2-5 (inc p&p),
6 and above £1 each (inc p&p). Cheques to be made payable to SOSS. Please
enclose an email address if you wish to be informed of future initiatives.