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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| 'Fine exam boards' that dumb down | 'Fine exam boards' that dumb down |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Exam boards that breach the expected standards in science and "dumb down" the subject should face hefty fines or even bans, a leading scientist says. | Exam boards that breach the expected standards in science and "dumb down" the subject should face hefty fines or even bans, a leading scientist says. |
| Chief executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Dr Richard Pike, claims entire exam papers contain no maths in them and some questions no science. | |
| Dr Pike said a new, more independent regulator with more clout was needed to prevent standards from "dumbing down". | Dr Pike said a new, more independent regulator with more clout was needed to prevent standards from "dumbing down". |
| Exam standards watchdog Ofqual said it was taking steps to improve science. | Exam standards watchdog Ofqual said it was taking steps to improve science. |
| Dr Pike said: "The science community has identified entire science papers with no underlying maths, and science questions with no science. | Dr Pike said: "The science community has identified entire science papers with no underlying maths, and science questions with no science. |
| "This is a blatant breach of expected standards." | "This is a blatant breach of expected standards." |
| A million pound surcharge would focus the mind of any examining board chief executive Dr Richard PikeRoyal Society | A million pound surcharge would focus the mind of any examining board chief executive Dr Richard PikeRoyal Society |
| He described one Key Stage 3 Sats paper from 2008 which asked a question that was more a test of literacy than science. | He described one Key Stage 3 Sats paper from 2008 which asked a question that was more a test of literacy than science. |
| It asked where the energy for "a solar-powered mole scarer" comes from. | It asked where the energy for "a solar-powered mole scarer" comes from. |
| Dr Pike said: "For all the science needed, this could have been instead a toothbrush or a nail clipper!" | Dr Pike said: "For all the science needed, this could have been instead a toothbrush or a nail clipper!" |
| He accused exam boards of running a "race to the bottom" as they attempted to make their wares more attractive to schools and pupils. | He accused exam boards of running a "race to the bottom" as they attempted to make their wares more attractive to schools and pupils. |
| He added that even attempts to make topics more relevant had been largely abandoned as boards focused on "simplicity and multiple choice questions". | He added that even attempts to make topics more relevant had been largely abandoned as boards focused on "simplicity and multiple choice questions". |
| He said: "In any other endeavour, this would be unacceptable. Break the rules in Formula 1, and you get banned. Contravene competition law, and you get fined. | He said: "In any other endeavour, this would be unacceptable. Break the rules in Formula 1, and you get banned. Contravene competition law, and you get fined. |
| "A million pound surcharge would focus the mind of any examining board chief executive and overnight would do more than years of 'discussion between stakeholders'." | "A million pound surcharge would focus the mind of any examining board chief executive and overnight would do more than years of 'discussion between stakeholders'." |
| 'Immediate action' | 'Immediate action' |
| Ofqual said it had made clear earlier this year that work needed to be done to improve GCSE science. | Ofqual said it had made clear earlier this year that work needed to be done to improve GCSE science. |
| A spokesman said: "Specific problems identified included the lack of challenge and demand in some question papers, the quality of work at grades A and C in some exams, and the high weighting given to objective tests in some specifications. | A spokesman said: "Specific problems identified included the lack of challenge and demand in some question papers, the quality of work at grades A and C in some exams, and the high weighting given to objective tests in some specifications. |
| "As a result the GCSE science criteria has been the subject of a consultation over the summer and will be fully revised. The awarding bodies will then develop new specifications, taking into account Ofqual's report. | "As a result the GCSE science criteria has been the subject of a consultation over the summer and will be fully revised. The awarding bodies will then develop new specifications, taking into account Ofqual's report. |
| "In the meantime Ofqual required immediate action from the awarding bodies to improve the situation in the short term." | "In the meantime Ofqual required immediate action from the awarding bodies to improve the situation in the short term." |