tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888848804347928571.post2361617473364079341..comments2024-02-25T06:41:19.588+00:00Comments on Conor's Commentary: The danger of dumbing down GCSE statisticsConor Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13457628816008082005noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888848804347928571.post-22488615031720167392011-08-22T14:18:00.428+01:002011-08-22T14:18:00.428+01:00Whilst, I agree in general with your sentiments, t...Whilst, I agree in general with your sentiments, the remaining problem is that of GCSEs as the standard fare, currency and measure of individual success and institutional performance.<br /><br />For at least 50% of the KS4 cohort, GCSE is not an appropriate programme of study in general, even accepting the importance of achieving a relevant qualification in Maths and English by the end of Y11. The eBacc and Wolf's recommendation that vocational programmes constitute no more than 20% pre-16 will simply result in more disaffection amongst Y10 and Y11 pupils.<br /><br />The emergence in the latter years of the Labour Govt. of Foundation Learning and Functional Skills (whilst by no means perfect in all ways) at least offered those who are simply turned off by the standard KS4 National Curriculum diet of 'academic' subjects in GCSE guise, a meaningful alternative to firstly, getting a foot on, and secondly progressive au the attainment and achievement ladder.<br /><br />That such initiatives have been put into cold storage by the Coalition, is an testament to the educational prejudices of the current administration and a failure totally of 50% of young people destined to leave school at age 16.Teeler42https://www.blogger.com/profile/10512230821455606515noreply@blogger.com