GCSE Science Cath Jadhav 15 July 2009

Who we are and what we do Independent regulator of qualifications, tests and assessments Established in 2008 Legislation gives five objectives: –Standards for regulated qualifications –Standards for regulated assessments –Public confidence –Public awareness –Efficient provision, representing value for money Ofqual Standards Group –Scrutiny programme –Code of Practice Monitoring –Standards over time

What are subject criteria? Two different sets of criteria: –GCSE qualification criteria –Subject-specific criteria The ‘rules’ for qualification development –State the high level aims of the qualification –Make clear the assessment objectives –Define the common content –Define some structural requirements –But still leave scope for differentiation between different specifications

Qualification development – who does what? QC(D)A –Write the subject criteria in consultation with stakeholders –Support awarding bodies through qualification development –Report to Ofqual on each draft qualification Ofqual –Approve the subject criteria –Accredit qualifications against the criteria Awarding Bodies –Write qualifications that meet the subject criteria

GCSE Science – our findings Variation across specifications → many different routes to the same grade Differences in types of assessment make comparability difficult to ensure More and ‘smaller’ assessments differentiate less effectively Context-based questions not always working Some issues with internal assessment (addressed for 2008/9) Grading judgements on written papers not in line with expectations Recommendations for revised subject criteria

Next steps Ongoing monitoring of current GCSE science specifications Revised subject criteria for science taking into account Ofqual’s recommendations QCA currently consulting on the revised subject criteria Criteria published November 2009 Awarding bodies submit new specifications May 2010 Regulators accredit new specifications August 2010 First teaching September 2011 First GCSE awards August 2013