The broadening of the post 16 diet 3 to 5 subjects offers real opportunities
for broadening the scope of economics and business education. Are there any
'in-touch' members of the list who can offer any further insights into the
shape of the new specifications for Economic, and/or Business Studies?
As I understand it the key reforms, which will be introduced from September
2000, are:
* a new Advanced Subsidiary (AS) qualification, representing the first half
of the full A level and worth 50% of the marks. The AS is designed to
encourage take-up of more subjects, especially in the first year of post-16
study, to provide better progression from GCSE into advanced level study and
to reduce the numbers who drop out with nothing to show for their efforts;
* new A level syllabuses (formally to be called "specifications"), normally
made up of six units, set at the same standard as current syllabuses and
offering candidates the choice of linear (end-of-course) or modular (staged)
assessment, to the same standards in each;
* a new requirement for a significant element of "synoptic" A level
assessment, which tests understanding of the syllabus as a whole, whichever
assessment option is chosen;
* some changes in maximum coursework limits for A levels (with a ceiling of
30% in most subjects) to enable the awarding bodies to enhance the validity
of the overall assessment regime without compromising on rigour;
* new "world class tests", aimed at the most able students, which will be
designed to be more accessible than current special papers ("S levels");
* a revised GNVQ at foundation, intermediate and advanced levels with a more
rigorous and more manageable assessment regime based on the revised model
that has been piloted since September 1997;
* a new six-unit GNVQ at advanced level equivalent in size and demand to a
single GCE A level and graded on a similar A-E scale. A small number of
three-unit qualifications, equivalent to a single AS, may also be
introduced;
* a change in the relationship between Key Skills and the GNVQ so that the
Key Skills of communication, application of number and IT remain integral to
all courses but are separately certificated; and
* a new Key Skills qualification to encourage all young people to develop
the essential skills of communication, application of number and IT, drawing
on evidence from their programme of study.
Links: http://www.qca.org.uk/a-as-update.htm
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