Can we compete? Do A levels match the world's best?

Dennis OppossDirector of Standards

International comparisons work

Six-year research programme

Investigate the demand of assessments taken internationally in comparison to those taken in England

Ofqual’s new standards objective

The qualifications standards objective is to secure that '

(a) regulated qualifications give a reliable indication of knowledge, skills and understanding, and

(b) regulated qualifications indicate '

(i) a consistent level of attainment (including over time) between comparable regulated qualifications, and

(ii) a consistent level of attainment (but not over time) between regulated qualifications and comparable

qualifications (including those awarded outside the United Kingdom) which are not qualifications to which this Part applies.

International comparisons work

The first of these studies focuses on assessments available to senior secondary learners intending to progress to university in the UK

The two types of studies

PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS

A special test designed to be a benchmark against itself

Test written through international collaboration to assess a common understanding of ‘quality’

Sample of all students

What Ofqual is looking at

What students do as part of their normal school assessment

Assessments written in the context of each system, reflecting their values, curriculum and purpose

Assessments for students looking to higher education

Existing studies

‘On their own, cross-sectional international comparisons such as PISA cannot identify cause-and-effect relationships between certain factors and educational outcomes, especially in relation to the classroom and the processes of teaching and learning that take place there’

OECD 2011

Senior secondary assessment

Chemistry

English (national language or main language of tuition)

History

Mathematics

Other systems

International Baccalaureate

The ACT, USA

Cambridge Pre-U

Cambridge International

A levels

Senior secondary assessments

Some assessments have the specific purpose of selecting students for higher education (for example a matriculation examination)

Others are assessments of educational achievement that in addition are used to identify students for higher education (of which A levels are one)

Methodology

The demand of each assessment was judged in relation to its appropriateness in preparing learners for entry to honours level degree study in England

Curriculum comparisons

England (A levels)

Subject A

Subject B

Subject C

Denmark (Gymnasium)

Danish

English

2nd foreign language

History

Classical studies

Physics

Physical education

An artistic subject

Mathematics

Religion

Social science

Two of biology, chemistry and natural geography

Multi-subject coursework

Electives

Specialised study

Hong Kong (HKDSE)

Chinese language

English language

Mathematics

Liberal studies

Elective

Curriculum - Assessment

what is taught

v

what is assessed

Emerging findings

Independent research and extended essays

Internally set assessment

Multiple-choice questions

Mark schemes

Predictability

Emerging findings – Mathematics

Pure mathematics or applications

Levels

New technology

Mechanics

Emerging findings – Chemistry

Balance of coverage

Challenging topics

Mathematical content

Emerging findings – English

What is English?

What is a text?

Types of assessments

Emerging findings – History

What is history?

citizenship? study skills and concepts? rote learning facts and figures?

Types of assessments

Emerging findings – Summary

Layers of breadth and depth

Assessment variety

Producing the best A levels

Future studies – 16+,11+

Criteria for selection of systems

Subjects: mathematics and English; others?