Adrian John Lyons wrote:
>
> I see from today's TES that the government is to introduce a new exam that goes beyond A level. This is designed to ensure that UK students can be comparred more easily with countries abroad with less post 16 specialisation, by encouraging more specialisation.
Given that students will be taking the AE tests in their A level
subjects I don't see how they will increase specialisation. It does seem
to me that it has become harder to identify genuinely academic students
eg in my college over 50% of our 400 A level economists will get grade
A's in the UCLES November exams. Years ago A level was elitist but given
the alternative routes into higher education available this charge now
seems invalid and the additional challenge will be relished by the more
able students.
> Bad news: as usual Business Studies has been excluded from the initiative as "vocational subjects would devalue it"
>
> Here we go again!
I don't see the problem. Business studies does not possess a long
established academic heritage. It is pursued for its
vocational/profesional advantages rather than its academic merits. A
level/Adv GNVQ Business studies offers one route, AE Economics, if and
when it arrives, will offer another. Parity of esteem does not mean
homogeneity.
Dave Sowden
RJC Singapore
PS I have taught both Economics and Business Studies to both A and GCSE
level
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