Disaffected pupils targeted in exam revolution

GCSE and A level exams will be replaced by a new diploma
framework which aims to motivate both disaffected pupils and high
achievers under new proposals now up for consultation.

The Tomlinson report on the curriculum for 14 to 19 year olds
proposes wholesale reform of the qualifications system. The new
diploma will have two parts – a core curriculum of basic skills for
all under 16s including maths, information technology,
communication and personal development, and a Main Learning
component, which will form the bulk of the diploma and will be a
pick-and-mix selection made by the student from a wide range of
academic and non-academic options.

The framework has been developed by the Working Group for 14- 19
Reform, chaired by former Ofsted chief Mike Tomlinson, which was
set up by the government a year ago to suggest reforms to the
assessment and qualifications system to broaden the curriculum and
motivate more young people including by  strengthening vocational
programmes.

The aim of the Tomlinson framework is to allow all students to
achieve qualifications which reflect their best performance in
whatever area their strengths lie, which tackles young
people’s disaffection from school and which reduces the
burden of assessment.

The proposals also set out to tackle the lack of basic skills
among many young people leaving education, and the UK’s low
proportion of 17 year olds still in education. According to 2001
date, the UK ranks 27th out of 30 industrialised countries with 73
per cent in education.

The consultation on the proposals is due to end in May.

http://www.14-19reform.gov.uk/latest_news/index.cfm