GCSE coursework scrapped in some subjects
Wednesday, 13 Jun 2007 15:57
The move will crack down on the use of the internet in coursework
Traditional GCSE home coursework is to be removed from some subjects over concerns pupils are receiving help from parents and the internet.
From September 2009 it will be replaced by controlled assessments, which take place under supervised conditions with greater involvement from the award body.
The changes follow a review of coursework by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) last year which found that coursework had become less valid.
By changing coursework, the QCA hopes to maintain standards and ensure assessments stretch and challenge pupils.
QCA chief executive Dr Ken Boston said that the changes to GCSEs will ensure that "enhanced opportunities for learners are established and that learning outcomes can be assessed reliably, consistently and fairly".
"The ability of the GCSE to stretch and challenge young people has been reinforced by the proposals that examinations must include extended writing and more varied question types," he added.
"Controlled assessments will increase public confidence in the GCSE and allow the integration of new sources of data and information, including the internet, under supervision. QCA will ensue that the standards and comparability of the GCSE is maintained as we develop the qualification for the future."
A public consultation into GCSEs runs from today until September 14th. It covers all GCSE subjects with the exception of English, maths and ICT.
Association of School College Leaders general secretary Dr John Dunford said that he is "pleased" with today's announcement.
"Coursework has a major contribution to make to exam grades because it can be used to test a much wider variety of knowledge and skills than a written exam lasting a couple of hours," he said.
"I am pleased that calls for coursework to be abolished have been headed off by this proposal for it to be done under more controlled conditions and for that reason I support it.
"The internet has changed the parameters of coursework and the continued credibility of coursework marks depends upon the work being done under more controlled conditions. It's important that we do not lose the positive side of coursework because of the problems of plagiarism."