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-21755953
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
GCSEs: Andrews says 'jury out' on three-country exams | GCSEs: Andrews says 'jury out' on three-country exams |
(35 minutes later) | |
Wales' education minister says the "jury is out" on the qualifications system that Wales shares with England and Northern Ireland. | Wales' education minister says the "jury is out" on the qualifications system that Wales shares with England and Northern Ireland. |
Leighton Andrews was giving evidence to MPs about a row that erupted in the wake of 2012's GCSE English results. | |
Mr Andrews ordered that papers be regraded and he has since set a new Wales-only grading system for the subject to avoid a repeat of the row. | |
But the head of Wales' biggest exam board said standards should be shared. | But the head of Wales' biggest exam board said standards should be shared. |
Appearing before the Commons Education Committee, Mr Andrews defended his decision to order a regrade of last year's GCSE English language. | Appearing before the Commons Education Committee, Mr Andrews defended his decision to order a regrade of last year's GCSE English language. |
It led to the exams of around 2,300 Welsh pupils being regraded by the WJEC exam board. | It led to the exams of around 2,300 Welsh pupils being regraded by the WJEC exam board. |
'Unfairness' | 'Unfairness' |
Mr Andrews told MPs on Tuesday that his action was "appropriate" and intended to address an "unfairness" in the way grade boundaries were set. | Mr Andrews told MPs on Tuesday that his action was "appropriate" and intended to address an "unfairness" in the way grade boundaries were set. |
England's exam regulator Ofqual declined to take similar action and the Welsh decision was criticised by UK Education Secretary Michael Gove. | |
Last month the High Court rejected a legal attempt by teaching unions and councils to overturn grades awarded in England. | |
Mr Andrews said the 2012 episode was "unhappy all round". He told MPs that he and Mr Gove had not met since June 2010. | |
Last month, Mr Andrews said that in future Wales would use its own grading system for the subject. | Last month, Mr Andrews said that in future Wales would use its own grading system for the subject. |
It means the thresholds between grades will no longer be agreed with England and Northern Ireland, while Scotland has its own qualifications systems. | It means the thresholds between grades will no longer be agreed with England and Northern Ireland, while Scotland has its own qualifications systems. |
It could mean the grades awarded to pupils sitting GCSEs in Wales will not necessarily be comparable to those sat in England and Northern Ireland. | It could mean the grades awarded to pupils sitting GCSEs in Wales will not necessarily be comparable to those sat in England and Northern Ireland. |
Mr Andrews told the committee: "I think the jury's out on three-country qualifications." | |
However, MPs also heard from WJEC chief executive Gareth Pierce, who called for "shared standards" in the exams sat across the three countries. | However, MPs also heard from WJEC chief executive Gareth Pierce, who called for "shared standards" in the exams sat across the three countries. |
It was "not tenable" to have different standards for the same qualification, he said. | It was "not tenable" to have different standards for the same qualification, he said. |
Previous version
1
Next version