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Possible re-introduction of "O-Level" standard exams...
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Good idea or not?
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How right you are Major and the trouble is the Trade Unions helped destroy the apprentice system by demanding that apprentices were paid unaffordable wages., whilst totally ignoring the fact that apprentices don't earn the company any money for the first couple of years and usually have at least one day a week off to attend college. When I say unaffordable one aero company used to take 6 of our pupils but reduced the number to 2 because they were told they had to pay 85% of a qualified tradesman rate. This company used to give the apprentices 2 full days off a week to attend college and ran an in house course for 10 weeks each year.
After having my 16 year old nephew explain the exam system and grading to me, I said that doesnt make a lot of sense and his reply was this, verbatim "its to make the 'tards feel they have done better so they dont go off crying !"
He goes to one of the better private schools in Dorset, and most of his friends are well aware of whats going on and why in the current exam system.
He goes to one of the better private schools in Dorset, and most of his friends are well aware of whats going on and why in the current exam system.
Like Modeller, I've also taught up to CSE, O-Level and GCSE level (plus A-Level).
Comparing the old Maths O-Level papers with the current GCSE questions, I've absolutely no doubt that the GCSE syllabus is actually much DEEPER and HARDER than what was being tested at O-Level.
However my concern is that the grade boundaries seem to be getting lower. To get the highest grade at O-level (or at CSE), you'd need to achieve at least 90%. (The CSE examination group I worked on usually set the threshold for the top grade at around 93%). If you drop the cut-off for the highest grade to around 70% (even if the examination is somewhat harder) it's hardly surprising when more people get high grades!
What is even more worrying is that lowering the cut-off points in examinations seems to go beyond secondary education. Some medical students now qualify as doctors with average marks of less than 50%.
And to answer the actual question asked by Moonraker:
No! It's an appalling idea!!!
Comparing the old Maths O-Level papers with the current GCSE questions, I've absolutely no doubt that the GCSE syllabus is actually much DEEPER and HARDER than what was being tested at O-Level.
However my concern is that the grade boundaries seem to be getting lower. To get the highest grade at O-level (or at CSE), you'd need to achieve at least 90%. (The CSE examination group I worked on usually set the threshold for the top grade at around 93%). If you drop the cut-off for the highest grade to around 70% (even if the examination is somewhat harder) it's hardly surprising when more people get high grades!
What is even more worrying is that lowering the cut-off points in examinations seems to go beyond secondary education. Some medical students now qualify as doctors with average marks of less than 50%.
And to answer the actual question asked by Moonraker:
No! It's an appalling idea!!!
Mo Jo Jo Jo has it spot on. When I went to Grammar school it was assumed that we would all go on to University after "O" and then "A" levels. The secondary modern school taught joinery, carpentry, basic mechanics, typing etc etc - all jolly useful subjects. Most then went to the local technical college and took practical exams. Not everyone is academic, but that is NOT a sign of failure. We need apprenticeships again too.
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