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Val Sismey
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
April 2nd 2014
Room 104, Street Level
Colorado Convention Center
Shifting Sands: An Update on the Changing UK
Educational Landscape and
Cambridge International
Examination Variants(W1.1848)
GCSE reform More fundamental reform than
for A levels
Identified issues over
standards
controlled assessment
accountability measures
English and maths at the forefront of the change and will be
redeveloped for first teaching in 2015
syllabuses will be available in autumn 2014
All other subjects redeveloped for first teaching in September
2016
GCSE reform November 2013: final re-sits for unitised GCSEs in maths, English
and English Language
students must ‘cash in’ results and certificate
June 2014: first assessment of ‘linear’ GCSEs
students must ‘cash in’ results and certificate
November restricted to re-take
only for GCSE English, English
Language, Mathematics
2017-19 will see numeric
grades reported for reformed
subjects and alpha grades for
all others
GCSE – general changes in England
Heavier assessment times
Grading likely to be reported on a scale of 1-9 (9 being highest)
plus Ungraded
Linear assessment
More focus on
understanding and less on
memorisation
Reduced internal
assessment
Tiering will disappear in
most cases
Early and dual entry for GCSEs
What counts in school performance tables?
A student’s first entry to a GCSE or equivalent examination
whether taken in the same exam series or different exam series, unless…
two GCSEs in the same subject are taken on the same day, in which case the best result counts towards school performance tables
Students who have already completed a GCSE may re-take that GCSE and the best result will count in school performance tables
Importance of Mathematics
One ‘big fat GCSE’ with overlapping tiers
Endorsed results
For practical skills in Sciences
For Speaking and Listening in English
Results not integrated into overall grade but reported
separately, possibly using a different scale.
Accountability Measures
E-Bacc (GCSE Grade C in English, Maths, 2 Sciences, 1
Humanities, 1 Language)
Note that individuals are not awarded the E-Bacc – it is
purely an accountability measure
Best of 8. This will include English, Maths and the student’s
best 6 other subjects.
Note that this replaces the former 5 x Grade C or above
A level reform – general changes in England
A level qualifications will
be linear
include more synoptic assessment
have reduced internal assessment
AS level qualifications will
Be standalone (decoupled from the A level)
remain at the current standard
not contribute to A level
Outside England
Wales likely to continue with modular A Levels
Northern Ireland not yet decided
A level reform – exam sittings
One exam series in England each year, in May/June, for all
A levels, from now onwards
no January examination from 2014 onwards
Wales and Northern Ireland governments are still to decide
UK exam boards are providing one exam series a year
for students across the whole of the UK.
Role of ALCAB
ALCAB – A Level Content Advisory Board
In 2012, the Secretary of State for Education approached
the Russell Group of universities to seek its involvement in
the Government’s A level reform programme.
Established by the Russell Group in September 2013
Funded by DfE
Advise on content not assessment
Will advise on a maximum of 8 subjects
A level reform – 2015 specifications
The following 14 (top entry) subjects are being redeveloped for first
teaching in September 2015 with syllabuses ready by September
2014 and first assessment in 2017.
Art & Design English Literature
Biology English Lang and Lit
Business Studies *Geography
Chemistry History
Computing Physics
Economics Psychology
English Language Sociology
* Geography now delayed by one year to first teaching 2016
A working example
In England the A Level in English Literature is being
changed. The number of set texts will be reduced from 12 to
8. Students will have to study a Shakespeare play and a
post 2000 work. There will be a requirement for an ‘unseen’
text.
In Cambridge International A Level in English Literature
students study between 6 and 8 texts. They take 4 papers:
Poetry and Prose
Drama
Shakespeare and other Pre-20th C texts
And either 20th C Writing or Comment and Appreciation
or Coursework
Importance of Mathematics
Mathematics and Further Mathematics A levels require
fundamental work
several issues: amount of choice, standard of units etc
Core maths – needs to be linked into other subjects
Mathematics pathways
Cambridge Maths
First assessment of AS levels in 2017, A levels in 2018
16-19 Vocational qualifications
Applied General qualifications
• Provide broad study of an academic area
• Recognised by HE for entry requirements
• Combination of theory and practice for a sector area but not for a specific occupation
• From 150 GLH in size
Technical Level qualifications
• Provide clear preparation for employment in a technical occupation or occupational group
• Recognised by employers
• From 300 GLH in size
OCR Technicals: General or Technical
Applied general: -
IT, Art and design, Media, health and Social Care,
Sport, Performing arts, Business
Technical:
Engineering and Administration
For more information on Vocational &
BTECs
SESSION ID: 1867
SESSION TITLE:
When Vocational and Technical Education Blurs with the
Academic -- Understanding Education in the UK
SESSION DATE: Wednesday, April 2, 2014
SESSION TIME: 9:15AM - 10:15AM
What does all this mean for Cambridge
International Examinations?
We will not make any changes in the short term e.g. grading
will remain as it currently is, AS will continue
We will review the situation on a regular basis
IGCSE and AS/A Level will continue to have November and
June series (and March for India)
Many of the reforms being introduced are already in place
with Cambridge credentials e.g.
Are already linear, not modular
Already embed Maths in other subjects e.g. Physics
Already have the depth required
Already ensure practical skills in Science are covered
Comparability with the US system
Credential evaluators usually agree that IGCSE and O Level
are comparable to the level of a US high school diploma and
recommend credit for A Levels. Many also recommend
credit for AS Levels.
What do Cambridge grades mean?
Grades for Cambridge International AS & A Levels
A*, A Excellent
B
C Good
D
E Satisfactory
U Not Passing
Sample Statement of Results
Watermark
Other hidden security features are also present on official Cambridge documentation
Serial number
Upper and Lower case
reporting of grades
achieved
Percentage Uniform
Mark
Sample Certificate: Cambridge International
AS and A Level
Other hidden security features are also present on official Cambridge documentation
Hologram
Serial number
Number of subjects
Upper and Lower case
reporting of grades achieved
Watermark
Signature of VC of
University of Cambridge
CIE Direct- verify students’ results online
Email: [email protected] to request a ‘University access to Cambridge
results online application form’
Sample US Recognition
We think the Cambridge curriculum is superb
preparation for universityChristoph Guttentag, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, Duke
University, USA
I think there are tremendous benefits to
pursuing the Cambridge curriculum. It’s a proven
international curriculum for success in higher
education and we know that students who pursue it
have been successful around the world.Jerry Lucido, CERPP Executive Director, University of Southern California
Students we have who have taken Cambridge
International A Levels do very well at our campus. They
are very well-prepared for our curriculum and we find
that they have a lot of confidence, but also that they
have a good deep subject knowledge, (and) the ability
to think critically and well.Stuart Schmill, Dean of Admissions, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT)
“We believe that Cambridge International AS and A
Level examinations are excellent preparation for
students to take the next step in the path of lifelong
learning.”Mary Adams, Associate Director of Admissions, Pennsylvania State
University
I value Cambridge preparation because the students
we have received with that kind of preparation have
done very well at the University. We like the fact that
no matter where they come from, they come
prepared.John Barnhill, Assistant Vice President for Enrolment, Florida State
University
How to add Recognitionwww.cie.org.uk/programmes-and-qualifications/recognition-and-acceptance/
Or email: [email protected]
Learn more!
Getting in touch with
Cambridge is easy
Email us at
or telephone
+44 (0) 1223 553554
www.cie.org.uk