Diploma:
I have been writing sample assessment material for the BAF at both level 2 and 3 and also some material for Edexcel in preparation for the Diploma. A lot of work has been invested by the government, QCA and the ABs into this not to mention those involved in planning its implementation. I have not heard anything to suggest that it is being scrapped but that is not to say that decisions of this sort will not happen - would any of us be surprised?
Controlled Assessment:
QCA were indeed unsure of how to proceed with this - I think that getting rid of coursework or whatever it is called would have been favoured by the political forces at the time but the outcry from teachers, especially in business who felt it had some value, meant the result has been a half-way house.
Ultimately, if centres have been abiding by the existing rules for coursework, CA should not provide too much of a different challenge. I have been telling teachers at launch meetings that there does need to be a whole school approach to the issue which I am not sure has been fully appreciated as yet.
For the Edexcel GCSE CA, the time available for research and writing up is limited (6 hours and 3 hours respectively) and should mean that the stress filled circus that has accompanied coursework should be reduced. The key is that teachers have to take responsibility for the research folders (either written or electronic) and the supervised writing up should mean that the finished work should be the student's own work.
The problem will be that some teachers will try to find loopholes in the system to improve grades - not just for the benefit of the students but of the teachers who are under such pressure to produce results. This pressure is largely the reason, in my opinion, why we have CA. In my recent experience of moderating GCSE, the number of cases where students quite clearly copy material is surprisingly high. Teachers who know their own students do not seem to pick it up and it is often very, very obvious. A quick Google search reveals the source of the material. If I can spot it and I don't teach these students it makes me wonder why the teacher cannot spot it. Has the work even been read?
Andrew
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Andrew Ashwin
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-----Original Message-----
From: Economics, business, and related subjects [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jim Riley (tutor2u)
Sent: 27 February 2009 23:13
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: End of the Road for BAF Diploma?
Does anyone have an inside-track on the status of the BAF Diploma?
Two pretty well-placed sources (both senior examiners) have contacted me
independently over the last 48 hours claiming they've "heard" that the BAF
Diploma is now to be scrapped.
Anyone know if this is true? If so, is a formal announcement due shortly so
that centres dont waste any more time trying to put the programme together?
It would be useful to have some clarity, either way
Jim
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