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Maths GCSE coursework is dropped Maths GCSE coursework is dropped
(10 minutes later)
Coursework for GCSE mathematics is to be axed, the Education Secretary, Alan Johnson, has announced.Coursework for GCSE mathematics is to be axed, the Education Secretary, Alan Johnson, has announced.
All other GCSE coursework will have to be supervised, Mr Johnson told delegates at the Labour party conference on Wednesday.All other GCSE coursework will have to be supervised, Mr Johnson told delegates at the Labour party conference on Wednesday.
He said qualifications could not be undermined by the few who cheated by taking their work from the internet.He said qualifications could not be undermined by the few who cheated by taking their work from the internet.
Parents needed to be reassured that coursework assessed pupils' work in a "fair and robust way".Parents needed to be reassured that coursework assessed pupils' work in a "fair and robust way".
Mr Johnson said: "Last year, we asked the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to look at making GCSE coursework more robust and reliable.Mr Johnson said: "Last year, we asked the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to look at making GCSE coursework more robust and reliable.
"As a result of the QCA's report, we will be removing all GCSE coursework from maths and stipulating that in other subjects, coursework must be supervised in classroom style conditions."As a result of the QCA's report, we will be removing all GCSE coursework from maths and stipulating that in other subjects, coursework must be supervised in classroom style conditions.
"Coursework can be very beneficial and I am determined that the hard work of the vast majority of students should not be undermined by questions of validity."Coursework can be very beneficial and I am determined that the hard work of the vast majority of students should not be undermined by questions of validity.
"We will work closely with teachers to develop even more effective and reliable coursework assessments.""We will work closely with teachers to develop even more effective and reliable coursework assessments."
Union praiseUnion praise
The move was welcomed by the National Union of Teachers.The move was welcomed by the National Union of Teachers.
"We welcome the removal of unnecessary coursework," said general secretary Steve Sinnott."We welcome the removal of unnecessary coursework," said general secretary Steve Sinnott.
"There are some subjects for which it is totally inappropriate. I hope however that coursework is retained for subjects such as the arts, geography and history.""There are some subjects for which it is totally inappropriate. I hope however that coursework is retained for subjects such as the arts, geography and history."
Mr Johnson wants to crack down on coursework cheats
The teachers' union, the NASUWT, said it would "examine very carefully the proposals on coursework", but was sure supervised coursework would address problems of plagiarism.The teachers' union, the NASUWT, said it would "examine very carefully the proposals on coursework", but was sure supervised coursework would address problems of plagiarism.
The Association of School and College Leaders also praised the announcement.The Association of School and College Leaders also praised the announcement.
"In the age of the internet plagiarism represents a real problem and it is right that the regulations on carrying out coursework recognise this," said general secretary Dr John Dunford."In the age of the internet plagiarism represents a real problem and it is right that the regulations on carrying out coursework recognise this," said general secretary Dr John Dunford.
Last week, it was announced that the coursework component in geography A-level would be scrapped.Last week, it was announced that the coursework component in geography A-level would be scrapped.
In most subjects, the number of coursework study units will be reduced from six to four, two at AS-level and two at A2.In most subjects, the number of coursework study units will be reduced from six to four, two at AS-level and two at A2.
New "subject criteria" for the 2008 A-level exams were published by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) following a consultation which produced some 3,200 responses.New "subject criteria" for the 2008 A-level exams were published by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) following a consultation which produced some 3,200 responses.
Children in careChildren in care
Mr Johnson also outlined new measures to improve support for children in care and their education.Mr Johnson also outlined new measures to improve support for children in care and their education.
The minister said these children were five times less likely to pass their GCSEs and 25 times more likely to "wind up in prison".The minister said these children were five times less likely to pass their GCSEs and 25 times more likely to "wind up in prison".
He said an extra £100 a year would be put into their Child Trust Fund accounts for every full year they spent in care.He said an extra £100 a year would be put into their Child Trust Fund accounts for every full year they spent in care.
And a £2,000 bursary would help children in care go to university.And a £2,000 bursary would help children in care go to university.