University admissions
Private schools have accused the government of "blackmail" after top universities were set tough new targets for the admission of students from the state sector.
Vice-chancellors told Charles Clarke, the education secretary, that the goals were unattainable unless elite universities were forced to change their admissions policies by diluting academic standards.
Government Response: Department for Education and Skills
A spokeswoman at the DfES said: "Offa’s remit did not allow it to punish universities for missing 'milestones' in their access agreements.
"But it could take account of their progress when agreements came up for renewal."
Stakeholder Response: Professional Association of Teachers
Alison Johnston ,PAT senior professional officer, said: "We would support making the whole admissions system fairer and more transparent.
"Universities and colleges should take students' wider abilities and potential into account, not just their exam results, but the system should target suitability for a course and not be aimed at particular sections of society. There should be a level playing field for all but not social engineering.
"There should be fairness but not coercion of institutions or lowering of academic standards. There should be increased recognition of students' potential but not at the expense of students with good grades."
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