This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-20518506
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Qualifications review: 'Rigorous' Wales exam plans expected | Qualifications review: 'Rigorous' Wales exam plans expected |
(35 minutes later) | |
By Nicola Smith BBC Wales education correspondent | By Nicola Smith BBC Wales education correspondent |
An independent report is to be published outlining whether Wales should retain GCSEs and A-levels. | An independent report is to be published outlining whether Wales should retain GCSEs and A-levels. |
The 14-19 qualifications review, which is due later on Wednesday, is expected to include proposals for creating a rigorous exams system for teenagers. | The 14-19 qualifications review, which is due later on Wednesday, is expected to include proposals for creating a rigorous exams system for teenagers. |
It has also looked at the future of the Welsh Baccalaureate and whether it should be given more significance. | It has also looked at the future of the Welsh Baccalaureate and whether it should be given more significance. |
The Welsh government intends to produce an official response to the report early next year. | The Welsh government intends to produce an official response to the report early next year. |
The review board is made up of teachers, college principals, a university vice-chancellor and business people. | The review board is made up of teachers, college principals, a university vice-chancellor and business people. |
They have asked whether GCSEs should be replaced by a new qualification and to what extent Wales' exam system should diverge from the rest of the UK. | They have asked whether GCSEs should be replaced by a new qualification and to what extent Wales' exam system should diverge from the rest of the UK. |
Until now, Wales, England and Northern Ireland have shared qualifications and a three-country system of regulating exams. | Until now, Wales, England and Northern Ireland have shared qualifications and a three-country system of regulating exams. |
But a row over the grading of GCSE English papers this summer highlighted growing differences. | But a row over the grading of GCSE English papers this summer highlighted growing differences. |
Welsh Education Minister Leighton Andrews ordered a regrade after a review found this year's results had been "unfair" to pupils. | Welsh Education Minister Leighton Andrews ordered a regrade after a review found this year's results had been "unfair" to pupils. |
Appeals for a regrade in England were turned down by the exam regulator Ofqual. | Appeals for a regrade in England were turned down by the exam regulator Ofqual. |
UK Education Secretary Michael Gove announced a shake-up of exams in England in September. Under his changes, GCSEs will be replaced in core subjects by a qualification called the English Baccalaureate Certificate. | |
'Very strong brand' | 'Very strong brand' |
It will mean a single end-of-course exam and one exam board for English, maths and science, with the first exams sat in 2017. | It will mean a single end-of-course exam and one exam board for English, maths and science, with the first exams sat in 2017. |
Owen Hathway, policy officer for the NUT Wales teaching union, said: "Today's announcement will be a significant and important moment for education in Wales. | Owen Hathway, policy officer for the NUT Wales teaching union, said: "Today's announcement will be a significant and important moment for education in Wales. |
"It is important, first and foremost, that there is confidence in the quality of qualifications that students in Wales undertake. | "It is important, first and foremost, that there is confidence in the quality of qualifications that students in Wales undertake. |
"That has to start with ensuring there is confidence in them from those teaching in the classroom." | "That has to start with ensuring there is confidence in them from those teaching in the classroom." |
Mr Andrews has previously described GCSEs as a "very strong brand" and said the UK government's decision to replace them in England was a "backwards step". | Mr Andrews has previously described GCSEs as a "very strong brand" and said the UK government's decision to replace them in England was a "backwards step". |
Previous version
1
Next version