I viewed this site with a great deal of interest and I have to admit that I was lost as to the rationale behind some of them. In many ways it is a whole new language for us to learn. I wonder how long it will be before somebody offers a degree course or even GCSE qualificatioin in this, or is it already available somewhere?
I think he's being sarcastic. GCSE exams (General Certificate of Secondary Education) have attracted much controversy because each year since they began (late 80s, taking over from GCE O Levels and CSEs as an amalgam) the results have been better than the previous year; more than would be expected, thus giving rise to suspicion that they're getting easier. A friend of mine who was a French teacher confirmed to me that although they may not be easier per se (I'd have to look at 2 exams from different years to decide), certain aspects of them make it easier to get high marks (teachers under pressure from the government for good league table results handing back coursework with suggestions for tweaks is one example). Also, I've not had this confirmed (arnie?) but there have been rumours that the number of marks needed for each grade have fallen, so again, if this is true, it's easier to get a higher grade. As I said, I've heard this from several sources but have no proof, and I kind of doubt it.
There's definitely something suspicious about the results getting better at such a high rate though. Kids just don't get cleverer that quickly - evolution doesn't work that fast (would that it did!)
Kids just don't get cleverer that quickly - evolution doesn't work that fast (would that it did!)
No, but there is a lot of attention paid to teaching methods, nowadays. The 50-year turnaround between males and females can be attributed almost solely to a change in teaching methods. Technological advancements such as the internet and Bitesize enable people to achieve better results, too.
I don't think it fully explains the trend, but I believe there may be more causes than just evolution :P
As Cat said, there's a lot of controversy over the allegations that GCSEs are getting easier. I can't speak because I haven't seen an old paper and a modern paper side by side either. Doad or Bob would probably be better qualified to speak on this.
I don't think that there's much doubt that with GCE A levels (taken two years later and relied upon for university entrance in particular) the higher grades are easier to reach than they once were.
Build a man a fire and he's warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life.
Well, it's only taken me 6 hours to notice you've joined, mutualdesire! *is only second WC login of the day, in defence*
Did I say evolution was the only possible cause? No, so . The Internet certainly makes it easier to cheat (as I think we discussed in the pub), so that is a definite cause, I'll agree.
It's because of all these things (and presumably more) that something needs to be done to make GCSE etc results more a reflection of a person's ability in that subject - degree results haven't followed this pattern of breaking results records year in, year out, so it must be possible to achieve.This message has been edited. Last edited by: Cat,
. The Internet certainly makes it easier to cheat (as I think we discussed in the pub), so that is a definite cause, I'll agree.
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