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Are this year's GCSE takers smarter than last year's? It's hard to tell Are this year's GCSE takers smarter than last year's? It's hard to tell
(2 months later)
There are major limits to any conclusions that can be drawn on whether this year’s 16 year-olds are smarter than last year’s 16 year-olds, or whether the teaching they received was better. There are major limits to any conclusions that can be drawn on whether this year’s 16-year-olds are smarter than last year’s 16-year-olds, or whether the teaching they received was better.
Firstly, a policy called “comparable outcomes” exists to prevent grade inflation, and means that the overall age 11 test results of the children who took their GCSEs this summer are taken into account when deciding on the mix of grades awarded at GCSE.Firstly, a policy called “comparable outcomes” exists to prevent grade inflation, and means that the overall age 11 test results of the children who took their GCSEs this summer are taken into account when deciding on the mix of grades awarded at GCSE.
A number of other factors are also at play. In both English and maths, the number of children taking the alternative IGCSE has increased.If we combine GCSE results and IGCSE results, those for both English and maths are stable between this year and last year. For example, , 69.7% achieved A*-C grades in English when it was added to the IGCSE, compared with 69.8% in 2015. A number of other factors are also at play. In both English and maths, the number of children taking the alternative IGCSE has increased. If we combine GCSE results and IGCSE results, those for both English and maths are stable between this year and last year. For example, 69.7% achieved A*-C grades in English when it was added to the IGCSE, compared with 69.8% in 2015.
Headline results have also been affected by the fact that for almost half of 16-year-olds, finishing secondary school is no longer the end of their GCSE experience. Under moves to improve general literacy and numeracy, the government now requires 17 and 18-year-olds to remain in education or training, and if they achieved a D in English or maths at GCSE they must retake these subjects. Headline results have also been affected by the fact that for almost half of 16-year-olds, finishing secondary school is no longer the end of their GCSE experience. Under moves to improve general literacy and numeracy, the government now requires 17- and 18-year-olds to remain in education or training, and if they achieved a D in English or maths at GCSE they must retake the subject.
As a result, thousands more 17 and 18-year-olds sat English and maths GCSEs this year. Only about 30% of those aged 17 or over achieved a grade C in maths, with a little more than one in four aged 17 or over achieving the grade in English – an important qualification for those who achieved it, but given the significant burden it places on colleges, not a great outcome overall. As a result, thousands more 17- and 18-year-olds sat English and maths GCSEs this year. Only about 30% of those aged 17 or over achieved a grade C in maths, with a little more than one in four aged 17 or over achieving the grade in English – an important qualification for those who achieved it, but given the significant burden it places on colleges, not a great outcome overall.
A change in the performance measures against which secondary schools are judged has also had a number of effects this year, namely the introduction of something called Progress 8. A change in the performance measures against which secondary schools are judged has also had a number of effects this year, namely the introduction of something called Progress 8, devised by Michael Gove when he was education secretary.
Devised by Michael Gove when he was education secretary, to do well under Progress 8 schools need students to be entered for at least three English baccalaureate (EBacc) subjects, in addition to maths and English. Those that count are science subjects, computer science, history, geography and languages. To do well under Progress 8, schools need students to be entered for at least three English baccalaureate (Ebacc) subjects, in addition to maths and English. Those that count are science subjects, computer science, history, geography and languages.
This year’s results show that schools are responding strongly to this change. Entries in all GCSE sciences have risen strongly as students are switched out of the alternative BTec qualification.This year’s results show that schools are responding strongly to this change. Entries in all GCSE sciences have risen strongly as students are switched out of the alternative BTec qualification.
Entries in history and geography among 16-year-olds also went up sharply – 6% and 8%, respectively. The consequence for these subjects is that grades achieved have fallen, as lower attaining students are now entering these subjects. Entries in history and geography among 16-year-olds also went up sharply – 6% and 8%, respectively. The consequence for these subjects is that grades achieved have fallen, as lower-attaining students are now entering them.
That said, while they are among the subjects that would count towards a school’s Progress 8 results, entries in modern foreign languages by 16-year-olds have fallen again – French and German were both down 7% – suggesting that schools are focusing on getting children to do science and humanities GCSEs rather than languages, to meet this particular government requirement.That said, while they are among the subjects that would count towards a school’s Progress 8 results, entries in modern foreign languages by 16-year-olds have fallen again – French and German were both down 7% – suggesting that schools are focusing on getting children to do science and humanities GCSEs rather than languages, to meet this particular government requirement.