[Aspiringlawstudent]

I thought we could do with a poll on this subject as it seems quite contentious.

So, are you glad to see O-Levels come back?

[Umairy363]

It's a big step backwards and we will be back to square one.

[ForKicks]

(Original post by Umairy363)
It's a big step backwards and we will be back to square one.

Backwards in what way and what was square one?

[Aspiringlawstudent]

(Original post by Umairy363)
It's a big step backwards and we will be back to square one.

Aside from chronologically, I fail to see how.

[DeathByBSOD]

(Original post by ForKicks)
Backwards in what way and what was square one?

Back to 2000BC.

Why do people like may and gove exist? I have lost faith in humanity yet again.
Leave the system as it is... Even though i have done gcse, WHY CANT I SELL MY DAMN REVISION BOOKS! OR GIVE IT TO SOMEONE DOING THE SUBJECT!!!
Stupid reforms stealin' my business....

[iheartdjokovic]

Why can't Gove just make GCSEs more challenging, have only one exam board and get rid of modular exams without changing the name? I don't see how separating people at 14 and not allowing the pupils who are deemed 'less able' to even try to get the same standard qualifications as the people who passed some arbitrary test is anything other than backward, unfair and completely going against social mobility.

[Umairy363]

The fact that the tories had brought in the GCSE's in the beginning and now they are scrapping them and bringing the old system back, means we are back to square one. Students that take CSE's are going to be at a major disadvantage to students doing the O-levels. At least with the GCSE's everyone had the same qualification.

Students that get top grades in GCSEs, without a doubt will get top grades in O levels, but students that are at a disadvantage will be disadvantaged further with this change.

I also think that teachers should be asked and a consensus should be taken for this, rather than a few people, that have really no idea about the system, exclusively be taking this decision.

[Flyteryder]

They're not going to come back. The reforms are for 2016 and onwards, and the Tories will be voted out in the 2015 election anyway. Not enough people wanted them in government in the 2010 election; now they'll get even less votes in the 2015 election because of all the cuts that affect virtually everybody, as well as things like this.

I have an offer from King's College London, and I have a B in GCSE Maths. If a Russell Group university thinks that's good enough, who is Gove to say any different? They didn't say to me you must get an A* in GCSE Maths to meet the standards of the O-Level system, because your qualifications aren't good enough.

It's also going to damage the employment chances of anyone who has GCSEs; employers (who will follow whatever the government say about qualifications) are going to want people with O-Levels as they're hyped to be better. Why am I going to be employed with GCSEs, A-levels and a degree, when somebody else is going to have O-Levels, A-Levels and a degree? It's not going to happen, but it's a scary thought anyway.

[ForKicks]

(Original post by DeathByBSOD)
Back to 2000BC.

Why do people like may and gove exist? I have lost faith of humanity yet again.
Leave the system as it is...

I meant more what is wrong with the reforms? As far as I am aware it will actually help the less academic. The banding difference would only be as unfair as the existence of higher and foundation papers now, but it may help those who are less academic gain qualifications where before they may have just straight failed them.

Having said that, I am a little unnerved by the tiers for border-line pupils, so would be interested to hear how that is going to be tackled given some don't peak until 3 weeks before their exams!.

[ForKicks]

(Original post by iheartdjokovic)
Why can't Gove just make GCSEs more challenging, have only one exam board and get rid of modular exams without changing the name? I don't see how separating people at 14 and not allowing the pupils who are deemed 'less able' to even try to get the same standard qualifications as the people who passed some arbitrary test is anything other than backward, unfair and completely going against social mobility.

I think introducing the IGCSE to state schools and having optional 'CSE' style exams for underachievers would be the best option. That should fill the needs that the current reforms want..

[The Doggfather]

I don't see the point in changing GCSE's, most students still go on to the unchanged A Level

Right now you have to be in education or training from the age of 16-18 but I think they should change this so A Levels are compulsory, rather than having the choice between the two. Most students who left school at 16 went into workplace training anyway. That way, there will be little reason to reintroduce O Levels, students are still prepared enough to go onto A Level.

If O Levels are reintroduced, we would just see more fails and those people would find it harder to find jobs in the future, right? They should scrap the GCSE E pass grade and change it to a C, many students aim for just a pass because they cannot be bothered, not because they are not intelligent enough to aim any higher. In reality, it's either a pass or a fail for them, they don't care about the grade, change pass grade to a C and more will try harder. They should also increase the 5 A*-C target.

[Aspiringlawstudent]

(Original post by iheartdjokovic)
Why can't Gove just make GCSEs more challenging, have only one exam board and get rid of modular exams without changing the name? I don't see how separating people at 14 and not allowing the pupils who are deemed 'less able' to even try to get the same standard qualifications as the people who passed some arbitrary test is anything other than backward, unfair and completely going against social mobility.

The fact of the matter is, some people simply are less able. There is no point putting someone into a class that they will fail in.

People need to be educated according to their ability, not according to some sort of egalitarian ideal.

I fail to see how social mobility will be affected. We're not talking about giving the working class an inferior education here - we're simply aiming to give people an education that is appropriate to their level of ability so that they maay achieve something worthwhile. It is surely better someone passes a qualification at a different level with a respectable grade, rather than take a course they can't pass.

[iheartdjokovic]

(Original post by ForKicks)
I think introducing the IGCSE to state schools and having optional 'CSE' style exams for underachievers would be the best option. That should fill the needs that the current reforms want..

Yes, that sounds like a better idea!

[Aspiringlawstudent]

(Original post by Flyteryder)
They're not going to come back. The reforms are for 2016 and onwards, and the Tories will be voted out in the 2015 election anyway. Not enough people wanted them in government in the 2010 election; now they'll get even less votes in the 2015 election because of all the cuts that affect virtually everybody, as well as things like this.

I have an offer from King's College London, and I have a B in GCSE Maths. If a Russell Group university thinks that's good enough, who is Gove to say any different? They didn't say to me you must get an A* in GCSE Maths to meet the standards of the O-Level system, because your qualifications aren't good enough.

It's also going to damage the employment chances of anyone who has GCSEs; employers (who will follow whatever the government say about qualifications) are going to want people with O-Levels as they're hyped to be better. Why am I going to be employed with GCSEs, A-levels and a degree, when somebody else is going to have O-Levels, A-Levels and a degree? It's not going to happen, but it's a scary thought anyway.

I take it you're a time lord or something?

It's far from certain. If the economy picks up as the IMF predicts, I dare say it may well be a Tory majority government.

[Smko]

1) Ive now done my GCSE so good if they make them harder :P (how nice of me)
2) I really wish they did stretch us a little bit more - so its good making it harder
3) Hopefully the students will learn more and the real top students will be able to shine!!

[Flyteryder]

(Original post by Aspiringlawstudent)
I take it you're a time lord or something?

It's far from certain. If the economy picks up as the IMF predicts, I dare say it may well be a Tory majority government.

Look at the opinion polls. For the last year when asked if there was an election tomorrow, who would you vote for, over 40% say Labour and 30% say Conservative, with the numbers increasing in Labour's favour every week/month. If this trend continues to 2015 the Tories have no chance.

[Fynch101]

This is one of those policies that is designed to improve educational standards.

Sadly, as long as the same teachers with the same resources are employed, teaching standards will not change. I can't imagine how much this change will cost either. Its effect will be so minimal.

[GreenLantern1]

Well I am happu top see them come. Am doiing my GCSE exams this Summer and would have rather don the O-Levels as then we could've been more challenged.

Atleast now there won't be a bunch of old people discrediting our success as they can't say O-Levels are easy now!

[Draco56]

I barely revised at all for my GCSEs and came out with like 11 B to A*s. Boy did I and lots of other people get a shock when we thought we could do the same at the start of AS! I do think they could have just made GCSEs harder though.

[fortransexual]

(Original post by iheartdjokovic)
Why can't Gove just make GCSEs more challenging, have only one exam board and get rid of modular exams without changing the name? I don't see how separating people at 14 and not allowing the pupils who are deemed 'less able' to even try to get the same standard qualifications as the people who passed some arbitrary test is anything other than backward, unfair and completely going against social mobility.

how would employers be able to differentiate between people who had done badly with the gcse system and those who had done well with the O level if the name was the same