This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/education/8203673.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Tories plan league tables review Tories plan league tables review
(about 4 hours later)
Tory plans could see schools get higher league table places by getting more pupils through what they call "harder" A-levels such as maths and physics.Tory plans could see schools get higher league table places by getting more pupils through what they call "harder" A-levels such as maths and physics.
The party's proposals for England are being considered as part of a review it commissioned from Sir Richard Sykes. The proposals for England also suggest awarding fewer points for subjects seen as easier, such as media studies.
Fewer points could also be given for some subjects regarded as being less difficult, such as media studies. The Conservatives claim the exam system has been "dumbed down" and that league tables are partly to blame.
The Tories claim the exam system has been "dumbed down" and standards "are not what they should be". Ministers are changing the league table system but say subjects are "rigorously measured against each other" already.
Michael Gove, the shadow education secretary, told the Sunday Telegraph: "Some schools lead pupils towards qualifications which may not be in their interests, but which are easier to pass. Michael Gove, the shadow education secretary, said Labour's "meddling and micromanaging of exams" had led to a "dumbing down" of the system and the current league table system had only aided the deterioration.
His party argues that pressure for schools to perform in the league tables could mean pupils are pushed to take subjects that might be easier in order to achieve a higher rank.
"Some schools lead pupils towards qualifications which may not be in their interests, but which are easier to pass," Mr Gove wrote in the Sunday Telegraph.
Not 'demanding'
"At the same time, exams which are rigorous, such as the international GCSE (IGCSE), does not count at all in league tables."At the same time, exams which are rigorous, such as the international GCSE (IGCSE), does not count at all in league tables.
"This nonsense can't go on.""This nonsense can't go on."
Not 'demanding' The Tory proposals, the first to emerge from an inquiry into the examination system led by Sir Richard Sykes, the former rector of Imperial College, London, also include removing vocational qualifications from league-table rankings.
Other plans outlined in the proposals would include removing vocational qualifications from league table rankings.
This would include the government's flagship new diploma, which Conservatives claim is "nowhere near as academically demanding" as traditional A-levels and GCSEs.This would include the government's flagship new diploma, which Conservatives claim is "nowhere near as academically demanding" as traditional A-levels and GCSEs.
There is objective evidence from people who care about academic standards that they are not what they should be Michael GoveShadow education secretary
Schools would also no longer be judged on the proportion of pupils who gain five A* to C grades.Schools would also no longer be judged on the proportion of pupils who gain five A* to C grades.
Critics have claimed staff feel pressured to concentrate on borderline C grade pupils and the needs of more able children are ignored. Critics claim staff feel pressured to concentrate on borderline C-grade pupils while the needs of more able children are ignored.
Instead, a points-based system would be introduced, placing more value on higher grades.Instead, a points-based system would be introduced, placing more value on higher grades.
There is objective evidence from people who care about academic standards that they are not what they should be Michael Gove, shadow education secretary Mr Gove also said universities no longer considered every A-level to be equally rigorous.
Mr Gove said Labour's "meddling and micromanaging of exams" had led to a "dumbing down" of the system and the current league table system had only aided the deterioration. Critics say practical qualifications, such as cake decoration, pottery and flower arranging are being given equivalent value to traditional A-levels.
Critics of the current system say practical qualifications such as cake decoration, pottery and flower arranging are being given equivalent value to traditional A-levels.
One example given included a course in "tanning treatments" which was worth 45 points in school league table scores - the same as an A grade in one of the four units that make up an A-level.One example given included a course in "tanning treatments" which was worth 45 points in school league table scores - the same as an A grade in one of the four units that make up an A-level.
Mr Gove argued that independent reports from the Royal Society of Chemistry and Sir Peter Williams, who carried out the government's maths review, show there has been a fall in standards. 'Falling standards'
"Ofqual, the exam regulator, has admitted that the current level of rigour in GCSE science is not good enough," he said. Mr Gove warned that certain universities such as Cambridge, the London School of Economics and others had told prospective students that taking "softer" A-levels such as media studies and dance would count against them.
He also said independent reports from the Royal Society of Chemistry and Sir Peter Williams, who carried out the government's maths review, showed there had been an overall fall in standards.
"There is objective evidence from people who care about academic standards that they are not what they should be.""There is objective evidence from people who care about academic standards that they are not what they should be."
Mr Gove said that universities do not consider every A-level to be equally rigorous. BBC political correspondent Laura Kuenssberg said that with A-level results due out in a few days, the subject of standards was of "great interest to families up and down the country".
He warned that certain universities such as Cambridge, the London School of Economics and others told prospective students that taking "softer" A-levels such as media studies and dance will count against them. But, she said, the government was already planning to replace league tables with an overall grade for each school that would consider things such as children's behaviour as well as exam results.
"And yet the government insists that all A-levels are of equal weight," he added. The government has dismissed the Tory proposals.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Schools, Families and Children said: "We simply don't recognise the labels 'soft' or 'hard' A-levels - all subjects are rigorously measured against each other to maintain standards, overseen by Ofqual."
More young people were staying on at school to take A-levels, which was "something to celebrate", she added.
"Take-up in science and maths A-levels is continuing to rise and schools are also offering a much broader range of qualifications - including the Diploma."
League tables have already been scrapped in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.