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KEY FINDINGS
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How the new GCSE grading will work (Ofqual September 2014).
New GCSEs in Maths, English language and English literature will be taught in schools in England from September 2015, with students getting their results in August 2017.
The new GCSEs will be graded 1 to 9, with 9 being the top grade. In the first year the results will draw heavily on statistical evidence to make sure that there are clear ‘anchor points’ from the old system to the new. This has been done to make sure that the first year group of students are not disadvantaged, or advantaged, because of the introduction of the new qualifications, and will provide some certainty about what to expect at this time of significant change.
The approach will mean:
Ofqual have cautioned against direct comparisons and overly simplistic descriptions of the approach. For example, it is not right to say simply that a new grade 4 will equal a current grade C. The read across is at the bottom of each grade, so that broadly the same proportion of students will get 4 and above as currently get C and above. A subtle but important difference.
Beyond 2017 Ofqual will use statistical evidence used to help examiners make judgements on where to set grade boundaries. They also plan to develop a National Reference Test to provide additional statistical information.
More information can be found at Ofqual
The new GCSEs will be graded 1 to 9, with 9 being the top grade. In the first year the results will draw heavily on statistical evidence to make sure that there are clear ‘anchor points’ from the old system to the new. This has been done to make sure that the first year group of students are not disadvantaged, or advantaged, because of the introduction of the new qualifications, and will provide some certainty about what to expect at this time of significant change.
The approach will mean:
- Broadly the same proportion of students will achieve a grade 4 and above as currently achieve a grade C and above
- Broadly the same proportion of students will achieve a grade 7 and above as currently achieve an A and above
- For each examination, the top 20 per cent of those who get grade 7 or above will get a grade 9 – the very highest performers.
- The bottom of grade 1 will be aligned with the bottom of grade G
- Grade 5 will be positioned in the top third of the marks for a current Grade C and bottom third of the marks for a current Grade B. This will mean it will be of greater demand than the present grade C, and broadly in line with what the best available evidence tells us is the average PISA performance in countries such as Finland, Canada, the Netherlands and Switzerland.
- The new maths GCSE will be tiered, with grades 4 and 5 available through both tiers.
Ofqual have cautioned against direct comparisons and overly simplistic descriptions of the approach. For example, it is not right to say simply that a new grade 4 will equal a current grade C. The read across is at the bottom of each grade, so that broadly the same proportion of students will get 4 and above as currently get C and above. A subtle but important difference.
Beyond 2017 Ofqual will use statistical evidence used to help examiners make judgements on where to set grade boundaries. They also plan to develop a National Reference Test to provide additional statistical information.
More information can be found at Ofqual
Ofqual confirmed changes to GCSEs (November 2013)
Exams regulator Ofqual confirmed changes it is making to GCSEs, in what it says is the biggest shake-up of exams in England for a generation. The new GCSE in maths will be for first teaching from September 2015. The introduction of changes to science are to be announced later.
Key features of the new GCSEs in England will include:
Key features of the new GCSEs in England will include:
- A new grading scale that uses the numbers 1 – 9 to identify levels of performance, with 9 being the top level. Students will get a U where performance is below the minimum required to pass the GCSE
- Tiering (Foundation and Higher) has been retained for maths papers to allow students at the lower end of the ability range to demonstrate their knowledge and skills and to allow the most able to be streched.
- A fully linear structure, with all assessment at the end of the course and content not divided into modules. This is to avoid the disruption to teaching and learning through repeated assessment, to allow students to demonstrate the full breadth of their abilities in the subject, and to allow standards to be set fairly and consistently
- Exams as the default method of assessment, except where they cannot provide valid assessment of the skills required. Ofqual will announce decisions on non-exam assessment on a subject-by-subject basis
- Exams only in the summer, apart from English language and maths, where there will also be exams in November for students who were at least 16 on the preceding 31st August. Ofqual is considering whether November exams should be available in other subjects for students of this age.
GCSE reform: Teenagers must master English & Maths (Sept 2013)
Teenagers who fail to score at least a Grade C in English and maths GCSEs will have to continue studying the subjects, the government has announced. More from the BBC News website.
Planned changes to GCSEs (June 2013)
As Education Secretary Michael Gove sets out his plans to reform GCSEs in England's schools with tougher exams and a move away from coursework, the BBC News website answers some key questions.
Ofqual consultations on reform
Key Stages
During Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 (Years 1-9 ) each subject has a series of eight
levels. These are used to measure your child’s progress
compared with other pupils of the same age across the country.
You’ll receive a report at least once a year from your child’s school. This won’t necessarily be at the end of the school year.
The report will cover the results of any tests your child has taken, if they’re at an appropriate Key Stage, and teacher assessment levels for their attainment. At the end of each Key Stage, you’ll also receive the results for all children in your child’s age group in the school, and the national results for the previous year.
Levels 1-3 in Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2, ages 4-7) (most pupils are at Level 2 by the end of Key Stage 1)
Levels 2-5 in Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6, ages 7-11) (most pupils are at Level 4 by the end of Key Stage 2)
Levels 3-7 in Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9, ages 11-14) (most pupils are at Level 5/6 by the end of Key Stage 3)
You’ll receive a report at least once a year from your child’s school. This won’t necessarily be at the end of the school year.
The report will cover the results of any tests your child has taken, if they’re at an appropriate Key Stage, and teacher assessment levels for their attainment. At the end of each Key Stage, you’ll also receive the results for all children in your child’s age group in the school, and the national results for the previous year.
Levels 1-3 in Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2, ages 4-7) (most pupils are at Level 2 by the end of Key Stage 1)
Levels 2-5 in Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6, ages 7-11) (most pupils are at Level 4 by the end of Key Stage 2)
Levels 3-7 in Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9, ages 11-14) (most pupils are at Level 5/6 by the end of Key Stage 3)