Is the exam system fit for purpose? As this year’s results are announced, a growing number of critics think we should replace the current tests with something completely different.
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Scrap GCSEs says the man who invented them
Is the exam system fit for purpose? As this year's results are announced, a growing number of critics think we should replace the current tests with something completely different.
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Every year the groups of teenagers gathers outside schools, each one clutching an envelope. As they open their envelopes, their faces fill with delight or disbelief.
But what if GCSEsNational exams taken by 15 and 16-year-olds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. were scrapped? That is the proposal made by Lord Baker of Dorking who, four decades ago, created the current exams for 16 year olds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Now he has called the level of testing "absolutely absurdRidiculous.".
He is not the only critic of GCSEs. A think tankA research organisation focusing on a certain topic, such as climate policy or education. They often produce information used by businesses, governments and big organisations. founded by the former prime minister Tony BlairTony Blair was the leader of the Labour party. He was British prime minister from 1997 to 2007. has made the same suggestion. GCSEs, it claims fail to "meet the needs of the modern world".
Few European countries have so many exams for 16 year olds. Critics claim that GCSEs are obsoleteOutdated and no longer useful. .
Those in favour of them argue that GCSEs are widely recognised and considered reliable by colleges, universities and employers. Continuous assessment and coursework are often less accurate and less fair.
Opponents argue that exams at 16 do not prepare young people for the modern economy, while the number of tests is too high and the range of subjects too narrow.
Employment has certainly changed in the four decades since GCSEs were introduced. Now automation and AIA computer programme that has been designed to think. are transforming the world of work. Most teachers recognise the education system has to prepare young people for the challenges this brings.
Given the pace of change, students may have to reskill and upskill many times during their lives. Perhaps the most important lesson exams can teach is the habit of learning new things.
Is the exam system fit for purpose?
Yes! GCSEs are a rigorous and widely recognised exam system. Coursework and continuous assessment are less fair.
No: There are too many tests in Britain and they fail to prepare students adequately for the modern economy.
FOR YOUR SUMMER READING CHALLENGE CLUE GO TO STEP SIX IN THE SIX STEPS TO DISCOVERY BELOW.
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Keywords
GCSEs - National exams taken by 15 and 16-year-olds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Absurd - Ridiculous.
Think tank - A research organisation focusing on a certain topic, such as climate policy or education. They often produce information used by businesses, governments and big organisations.
Tony Blair - Tony Blair was the leader of the Labour party. He was British prime minister from 1997 to 2007.
Obsolete - Outdated and no longer useful.
AI - A computer programme that has been designed to think.
Scrap GCSEs says the man who invented them
A wider movement: Students celebrate GCSE results (above) while across Western education many argue that all-or-nothing exams are a misguided way of assessing a child’s overall ability. Glossary
GCSEs - National exams taken by 15 and 16-year-olds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Absurd - Ridiculous.
Think tank - A research organisation focusing on a certain topic, such as climate policy or education. They often produce information used by businesses, governments and big organisations.
Tony Blair - Tony Blair was the leader of the Labour party. He was British prime minister from 1997 to 2007.
Obsolete - Outdated and no longer useful.
AI - A computer programme that has been designed to think.