Plans to Have the Content of A-Level Courses under Control of Universities

Education Secretary Michael Gove last week sent a letter to Ofqual, the exam regulator for England to suggest that formal control of the content of A-level courses should be taken away from exam boards and handed to universities instead. If approved, changes would also affect the papers of exam boards in Wales and Northern Ireland.

Mr Gove is concerned that the current A-levels are not enough to prepare students for university study. Under his proposal, universities will also dictate the content of A-level papers and review them each year to determine if they are up to standards.

This move drew a mixed reaction from teachers and universities. Ofqual chief Glenys Stacey agrees with the plan, saying that her department can do a better job if universities get involved in the design of A-levels. Leading head teacher Anthony Seldon also warmly welcomed the proposal and even called for a more demanding approach to essay writing.

On the other hand, whilst the ATL teachers’ union agrees that universities should play a role in deciding what should be tested at A level, these tests need to be more comprehensive to measure not just the student’s ability to proceed to university. The leader of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference also cautioned that it would be unwise to give total control to universities.

Mr Gove believes that the move may be met with resistance, but standards will have to go up if Britain’s workforce is going to have the skills it will need to compete in the future.

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