Can we compete? Do A levels match the world's best?
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Transcript of Can we compete? Do A levels match the world's best?
Can we compete? Do A levels match the world's best?
Dennis OppossDirector of Standards
International comparisons work
Six-year research programme
Investigate the demand of assessments taken internationally in comparison to those taken in England
Ofqual’s new standards objective
The qualifications standards objective is to secure that '
(a) regulated qualifications give a reliable indication of knowledge, skills and understanding, and
(b) regulated qualifications indicate '
(i) a consistent level of attainment (including over time) between comparable regulated qualifications, and
(ii) a consistent level of attainment (but not over time) between regulated qualifications and comparable
qualifications (including those awarded outside the United Kingdom) which are not qualifications to which this Part applies.
International comparisons work
The first of these studies focuses on assessments available to senior secondary learners intending to progress to university in the UK
The two types of studies
PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS
A special test designed to be a benchmark against itself
Test written through international collaboration to assess a common understanding of ‘quality’
Sample of all students
What Ofqual is looking at
What students do as part of their normal school assessment
Assessments written in the context of each system, reflecting their values, curriculum and purpose
Assessments for students looking to higher education
Existing studies
‘On their own, cross-sectional international comparisons such as PISA cannot identify cause-and-effect relationships between certain factors and educational outcomes, especially in relation to the classroom and the processes of teaching and learning that take place there’
OECD 2011
Senior secondary assessment
Chemistry
English (national language or main language of tuition)
History
Mathematics
Other systems
International Baccalaureate
The ACT, USA
Cambridge Pre-U
Cambridge International
A levels
Senior secondary assessments
Some assessments have the specific purpose of selecting students for higher education (for example a matriculation examination)
Others are assessments of educational achievement that in addition are used to identify students for higher education (of which A levels are one)
Methodology
The demand of each assessment was judged in relation to its appropriateness in preparing learners for entry to honours level degree study in England
Curriculum comparisons
England (A levels)
Subject A
Subject B
Subject C
Denmark (Gymnasium)
Danish
English
2nd foreign language
History
Classical studies
Physics
Physical education
An artistic subject
Mathematics
Religion
Social science
Two of biology, chemistry and natural geography
Multi-subject coursework
Electives
Specialised study
Hong Kong (HKDSE)
Chinese language
English language
Mathematics
Liberal studies
Elective
Curriculum - Assessment
what is taught
v
what is assessed
Emerging findings
Independent research and extended essays
Internally set assessment
Multiple-choice questions
Mark schemes
Predictability
Emerging findings – Mathematics
Pure mathematics or applications
Levels
New technology
Mechanics
Emerging findings – Chemistry
Balance of coverage
Challenging topics
Mathematical content
Emerging findings – English
What is English?
What is a text?
Types of assessments
Emerging findings – History
What is history?
citizenship? study skills and concepts? rote learning facts and figures?
Types of assessments
Emerging findings – Summary
Layers of breadth and depth
Assessment variety
Producing the best A levels
Future studies – 16+,11+
Criteria for selection of systems
Subjects: mathematics and English; others?