School exams: what's really happening to ‘standards’?
Cambridge Assessment hosted an open and frank debate on 29 April 2010 in order to clarify public understanding of the different examination standard issues. Over 100 people including teachers, assessment experts, employers and journalists attended. The debate was streamed live and nearly 1000 people watched the proceedings online.
Tim Oates, Group Director of Assessment Research and Development, Cambridge Assessment, commented that exam boards bowing to political pressure to make GCSEs and A levels more "accessible" could be one reason for the increase in top grades.
Other panellists included: Professor Roger Murphy, Centre for Developing and Evaluating Lifelong Learning, University of Nottingham; John Bangs, Assistant Secretary of Education, National Union of Teachers; Professor Gordon Stobart, Institute of Education, University of London; and Anastasia de Waal, Director of Family and Education at Civitas.
Watch the debate:
The debate is a part of our campaign to clarify public understanding of the different examination standard issues. The debate continues on our online discussion – Let’s talk exam standards
Podcasts
- Introduction from Bene't Steinberg, Group Director of Public Affairs, Cambridge Assessment
(mp3 652 Kb) - Viewpoint from Tim Oates, Group Director of Assessment Research and Development, Cambridge Assessment
(mp3 5.05 Mb) - Viewpoint from Professor Roger Murphy, Centre for Developing and Evaluating Lifelong Learning,
University of Nottingham
(mp3 4.25 Mb) - Viewpoint from John Bangs, Assistant Secretary of Education, National Union of Teachers
(mp3 4.08 Mb) - Viewpoint from Professor Gordon Stobart, Institute of Education, University of London
(mp3 4.36 Mb) - Viewpoint from Anastasia de Waal, Director of Family and Education at Civitas
(mp3 5.51 Mb) - Questions and clarification
(mp3 2.05 Mb) - Debate
(mp3 35.5 Mb)
