The rising pass rate at A Level shows standards are rising, not that exams are getting easier, the school standards minister has said.

Government Response: Department for Education and Skills

David Miliband, school standards minister, said: "I have a challenge to the myth makers who talk down educational achievement every summer.

"When the facts say teaching standards are rising, when the facts confirm the rigour of tests and exams, when the facts show that the growth in pupils doing well comes from Middle England families, the only conclusion we can draw when commentators talk of dumbing down is that they believe pupils from Middle England families have neither the brains nor the talent to do well."

Party Response: Liberal Democrat

Phil Willis, Liberal Democrat education spokesman, said: "The rising A Level pass rate is a reflection of the hard work of teachers and students. They should be congratulated.

"It is high time that A Levels were changed. They have been so successful that there is no longer much differentiation at the top end of the scale. A Levels do not suit everyone. The government should accelerate changes to A Levels to allow a wider choice for students.

"Applications to university should be made after the results have come out. University applications should be based on actual results to end the lottery that works against students from non-traditional backgrounds."

Stakeholder Response: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Gwen Evans, ATL deputy general secretary, said: "There are three factors that critics seem to have conveniently forgotten.

"Students know that only their best will be good enough, so competitive is the environment.

"And teachers are doing everything in their power to remove barriers to achievement.

"But the most important factor of all is almost never mentioned. Parents educated to degree level are best placed to support their children’s educational aspirations – and this generation’s parents had the benefit of the university expansion of the 1970s.

"So improving results must be a cause for celebration, not suspicion, although it isn’t all good news.

"There are still too many young people with the ability to achieve degrees but are held back by their reluctance to impose major financial burdens on their parents. Education maintenance allowances will help post-16, though the post-18 situation still poses a greater challenge than the government is prepared to admit.

"Perhaps 2004 will be the year we stop turning a big success into a problem."

Stakeholder Response: National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers

Chris Keates, acting general secretary of NASUWT, said: "Critics of the exam system have excelled themselves this year by beginning the annual ritual of denigration of the achievements of pupils and the hard work of teachers even before the results have been published.

"Once again the spurious accusations of 'soft option' subjects, inconsistent standards of marking and 'easy' questions are trotted out.

"All the accepted national indicators, including Ofsted, demonstrate that standards are rising but then why let the facts get in the way of a good criticism?

"Year on year the results provide a tangible demonstration of improving standards due to the efforts made by pupils and the dedication and commitment of teachers.

"I am sure this year’s results will continue that trend.  They deserve celebration not condemnation.