7/1/2008 7:20:00 AM
The Independent 1 July
Ministers are trying to persuade more youngsters to take up "Stem" subjects ? science, technology, engineering and maths.A-levels in maths and science are far harder than in subjects like media studies, large-scale research commissioned by the Institute of Physics and the Royal Society has found. The findings put a question mark both over the value of A-level grades and the Ucas points system, which determines university places for thousands of students every year. Ucas gives the same point score for every subject.An analysis of 250,000 A-level results from 2006 by researchers from Durham University reveals that a pupil would be likely to get a pass two grades higher in "soft" subjects – such as general studies, business studies or even English – than in maths and science.The researchers conclude that "from a moral perspective, it is clear this is unfair". They warn that scores of students may miss out on university because they have chosen a harder subject.The study follows years in which experts have disagreed over the relative difficulties of subjects. Ministers are trying to persuade more youngsters to take up "Stem" subjects – science, technology, engineering and maths – at university level to provide the skills the UK needs.
Independent
STUDY REVEALS A-LEVEL DISPARITY
FT 1 JulySome A-levels are up to three grades harder than others, according to research that will heighten fears among parents that children are penalised for studying tough subjects.The research from Durham University’s well-regarded Curriculum, Evaluation and Management Centre, provoked warnings from educationalists that schoolchildren were being put off subjects such as physics, because it was harder to obtain good grades. The numbers taking physics at A-level have been falling. Robert Coe, one of the report’s authors, told the Financial Times the most extreme example was the three-grade gap between A-Levels in further maths and film studies – the difference between an A and a D. Mr Coe said: “I can’t see how anyone could claim that all A-levels are equally difficult. If universities and employers treat all grades as equivalent they will select the wrong applicants.”Most universities choose students partly by looking at total Ucas points – the common currency for measuring the worth of qualifications. Ucas, the charity that processes most undergraduate applications, awards the same marks for an A grade regardless of subject. Michael Reiss, director of education at the Royal Society, Britain’s leading independent science organisation, said: “The worry is that some good students are put off taking maths and science A-levels because it’s harder to get a good grade in them. Anything that discourages students from taking these subjects, which are so important for the future prosperity of the UK, is bad news.”The research was funded by the Royal Society and Institute of Physics, another independent organisation that lobbies for the science.FT
Lead Story | Curriculum / Quality Assurance
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