Ofqual 'rejects' new science GCSEs

16 June 2010

Proposed replacement science GCSEs have not gone far enough to address the examinations regulator's concerns over standards.

Ofqual has sent the new-look qualifications back to the awarding organisations for more work.

The new GCSE science qualifications are being developed after Ofqual found serious causes for concern when monitoring the version of the qualifications used in 2007 and 2008, and still in use today. Ofqual asked for changes to be made to the current qualifications and for new ones to be designed.

Awarding organisations have submitted new versions of the qualifications for approval for teaching in schools from September 2011. However, Ofqual has found that the new versions do not fully address the concerns raised. It has sent detailed feedback to the awarding organisations so they can take action to bring the examinations up to the required standard.

Kathleen Tattersall, Chair of Ofqual and Chief Regulator, said: "Ofqual's job is to make sure that standards are maintained. If qualifications do not meet our standards, we can not accept them into the regulated system.

"Learners, teachers, employers and universities look for the independent regulator's stamp of approval as assurance that qualifications are rigorous, demanding and fair. I look forward to receiving improved GCSE science qualifications that meet our requirements.

"Schools are expecting detailed information about the new qualifications in time to prepare for first teaching in September 2011. Ofqual hopes that that will still be possible, but progress will depend on the quality of the revised qualifications.

"In the meantime, improvements have been built in to the current version, and the regulators will make sure that grades awarded this summer are appropriate and fair."

Notes:

GCSE science subjects are: science; additional science; additional applied science; biology; chemistry and physics.

The report 'Findings from the monitoring of the new GCSE science specifications: 2007 to 2008' (March 2009) can be found here: http://www.ofqual.gov.uk/public-download/category/20-?download=249%3Afindings-from-the-monitoring-of-the-new-gcse-science-specifications-2007-to-2008-march-2009

It found serious causes for concern, including structural issues such as significant variation in the types of assessment used in different specifications and the weightings allocated to them, as well as a lack of challenge and demand in some question papers and internally assessed tasks.

Ofqual published new GCSE science criteria, which was developed by QCDA and approved by Ofqual, in December 2009. The deadline for awarding organisations to submit new specifications meeting these criteria was April 21, 2010. A total of 36 new specifications were submitted by five awarding organisations.

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