Reply With QuoteClasses are too large, education is underfunded, exams aren't getting easier, better exam results every year.
Doesn't add up somehow does it?
More impressive examination results are reported. Are exams getting easier? Are students working harder? Are teaching methods improving? All of the above?!
How the heck can we tell?
Classes are too large, education is underfunded, exams aren't getting easier, better exam results every year.
Doesn't add up somehow does it?
Are the subjects students choose to take the "easy" options?
Science and maths now seem to be more sought after:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/...-2010-subjects
Yes, they are (or at least, achieving a good grade is easier). As I've mentioned before, I used to work at a university where the academics in the science faculty were so concerned about the basic level of knowledge and understanding of many new students who had achieved the required A level grades that they laid on remedial courses to bring them up to speed.
We did that ourselves, with remedial courses for grammar and evidence assessment and evaluation in the humanities. We also abandoned streaming for language because even A-grade A-level students did not have sufficiently different (read "any") skills from beginners to warrant being placed in an Advanced group.
It's also not just a case of whether the exams are getting easier, but a case of marking criteria, and whether one marks with a soft or hard pen. When academics are officially instructed not to fail students, then I think you can say that "exams are getting easier". It doesn't have to be at the question setting end.
"critical thinking fell by 16.4%."Originally Posted by Lord Muck oGentry
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks