Member News
9th March 2011
Ahead of a parliamentary reception today, Andrew Hall of the AQA discusses the role that research plays in informing policy decisions.
What are the primary aims and objectives of the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) parliamentary reception?
The fundamental aim for the AQA is to raise awareness of our research programme amongst parliamentarians and key decision-makers. We want them to understand and appreciate the evidence and research that we have, as part of a back catalogue. We view our research function as something of a hidden gem.
We also want to share information about the type of research we will be doing in the future. This will ensure that parliamentarians are aware of the work that we are doing and look out for data that is of interest to them.
How can educational research inform policy decisions?
Evidence based decision making is key. In many circumstances matters of political policy and ideology are in the hands of politicians, and rightly so. However it is important to realise the unintended consequences that may emerge from policy decisions and implementation.
Researching and providing evidence is very important in ensuring effective decision making.
Is the role of the AQA in conducting research sufficiently understood by parliamentarians?
Unfortunately, no. It is an area where we have found a very large bushel and hidden our light under it for a length of time. This is something that we are eager to change. Behind the scenes, AQA has given a lot of advice to the regulatory authorities and to educationalists, but we have never been vocal enough with parliamentarians, or indeed the general public, in promoting the evidence that we have.
Now is the time to change this, as we are absolutely at a point when educational reform is at the fore.
What impact will the Education Bill have on examinations and qualifications?
Clearly the structure of schools - how academies work, how free schools are formed, the freedom around the curriculum and the changing powers to the regulator - will make a difference.
It will make it far more straightforward for awarding bodies, such as the AQA, to be more innovative in the qualifications that we offer in order to improve the competitiveness of the UK.
Legislation is not necessary to enact some of the reforms that have been talked about. For example, Modern Foreign Languages are now clearly much more at the centre of the agenda. Organisations such as the AQA need to find ways to make what have been historically challenging subjects more engaging for students. We need to be able to inspire students who may have in the past been left behind and encourage them to pursue their education.
What are the greatest challenges facing the education system in 2011?
Change per se will create challenges. We know from our dialogue with our customers that there are pressures on school budgets, pressures on college budgets and that refocusing the national curriculum will also have a big impact.
Managing that level of change, at a time when the UK is trying to drive performance forward and measure our competitiveness internationally, will be a significant issue. It is beholden on organisations such as the AQA to help smooth the path for these changes.
The AQA is hosting a parliamentary reception on Wednesday 9th March 2011, in association with Dods, The House Magazine and ePolitix.com.
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd