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Top universities strike deal with DfE to have say in redeveloping A-levels Top universities strike deal with DfE to have say in redeveloping A-levels
(4 months later)
Britain's top universities will take a permanent role in dictating the design and content of A-levels after a deal with the Department for Education, in spite of concerns that the qualification will be reduced to a university entrance exam.Britain's top universities will take a permanent role in dictating the design and content of A-levels after a deal with the Department for Education, in spite of concerns that the qualification will be reduced to a university entrance exam.
The agreement between the DfE and the Russell Group of leading universities comes after the education secretary, Michael Gove, invited universities earlier this year to have greater input into the redevelopment of A-levels. A-level exam content is currently set by examination boards and the DfE.The agreement between the DfE and the Russell Group of leading universities comes after the education secretary, Michael Gove, invited universities earlier this year to have greater input into the redevelopment of A-levels. A-level exam content is currently set by examination boards and the DfE.
When Gove first made the proposals they were criticised by organisations including teaching unions, Universities UK, the 1994 Group and Cambridge University.When Gove first made the proposals they were criticised by organisations including teaching unions, Universities UK, the 1994 Group and Cambridge University.
The Russell Group says the new body will take in the views of other universities and education groups, and urged ministers and awarding organisations to "continue to engage with a range of education bodies and learned societies" on A-levels.The Russell Group says the new body will take in the views of other universities and education groups, and urged ministers and awarding organisations to "continue to engage with a range of education bodies and learned societies" on A-levels.
According to a letter to Gove from Professor Nigel Thrift, the vice-chancellor of Warwick University and chair of a Russell Group working party, the group will establish a new body to be known as the A-level Content Advisory Body (Alcab) to co-ordinate input from university experts and specialists.According to a letter to Gove from Professor Nigel Thrift, the vice-chancellor of Warwick University and chair of a Russell Group working party, the group will establish a new body to be known as the A-level Content Advisory Body (Alcab) to co-ordinate input from university experts and specialists.
"We see a clear need for authoritative leading university input to the development of qualifications," Prof Thrift wrote to Gove, adding that the aim was for the Russell Group's contribution "to be as light-touch as possible, whilst sufficient to add real value to the design of A-levels.""We see a clear need for authoritative leading university input to the development of qualifications," Prof Thrift wrote to Gove, adding that the aim was for the Russell Group's contribution "to be as light-touch as possible, whilst sufficient to add real value to the design of A-levels."
In accepting the offer, Gove wrote: "Strong leadership from Russell Group universities, and engagement across the wider higher education sector, is critical to the future development of A-levels."In accepting the offer, Gove wrote: "Strong leadership from Russell Group universities, and engagement across the wider higher education sector, is critical to the future development of A-levels."
Under the new structure, Alcab will initially advise the qualifications regulator, Ofqual, on the content for A-level subjects that the Russell Group regards as "adequate preparation" for higher education admission: maths, advanced maths, English literature, physics, biology, chemistry, geography, history and modern and classical languages.Under the new structure, Alcab will initially advise the qualifications regulator, Ofqual, on the content for A-level subjects that the Russell Group regards as "adequate preparation" for higher education admission: maths, advanced maths, English literature, physics, biology, chemistry, geography, history and modern and classical languages.
"Academics at our best universities have long been concerned that there are real problems with current A-levels. They say they do not equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for rigorous degree courses, including extended writing and research skills," said a DfE spokesman."Academics at our best universities have long been concerned that there are real problems with current A-levels. They say they do not equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for rigorous degree courses, including extended writing and research skills," said a DfE spokesman.
In practice, Alcab will set up a subject panel composed of academics and experts from its institutions and others to design the initial content of the new A-levels. Ofqual will retain its final say and accredit examination boards offering the exam.In practice, Alcab will set up a subject panel composed of academics and experts from its institutions and others to design the initial content of the new A-levels. Ofqual will retain its final say and accredit examination boards offering the exam.
The first of the new A-levels will be taught in classrooms from September 2015. Subjects undergoing more substantial change will be delayed until September 2016 to allow Alcab to conduct a content review.The first of the new A-levels will be taught in classrooms from September 2015. Subjects undergoing more substantial change will be delayed until September 2016 to allow Alcab to conduct a content review.
The proposals had earlier been attacked for being too narrow. "A-levels need to test more than just the ability to go to university," said Mary Bousted, head of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers union.The proposals had earlier been attacked for being too narrow. "A-levels need to test more than just the ability to go to university," said Mary Bousted, head of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers union.
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