there's now a widespread consensus - underpinned by today’s persuasive report direct from education choose committee - that want to'>we must reform our examination system to revive public confidence.
that will be why nowadays we are publishing draft details of recent gcse content in core tutorial subjects.
and also the freelance regulator ofqual is publishing its own consultation upon the regulation of reformed gcses.
we are publishing the draft content in english, maths, science, history, geography and modern and ancient languages alongside this statement.
we can consult regarding that content over ensuing 10 weeks.
we expect these subjects ( when using the exception of languages ) to remain prepared for first teaching in september 2015, when using the first exams being given in summer 2017.
languages and different subjects can follow soon after, with first teaching from september 2016 and first exams being taken from summer 2018.
the new subject content revealed nowadays has actually been drawn up in collaboration with distinguished subject consultants - whom i desire to thank.
in line with this changes towards the national curriculum, the new specifications are a lot of challenging, a lot of formidable and a lot of rigorous.
that means that a lot of extended writing in subjects like english and history ; a lot of testing of advanced problem-solving skills in mathematics and science ; a lot of testing of mathematics in science gcses, to enhance progression to some levels ; a lot of challenging mechanics problems in physics ; a stronger specialise in evolution and genetics in biology ; but a bigger specialise in foreign language composition, ensuring that pupils need deeper language skills.
this higher level of demand can equip our kids to visit onto higher education or a very good apprenticeship - and we will raise the bar truly understanding that now we have the most beneficial generation of teachers ever in our own schools to assist students achieve a little over ever before.
our education reforms - the growth within the variety of academies and free schools, the improvements in teacher recruitment and coaching and sharper accountability from improved league tables but a strengthened ofsted - are raising standards in schools. that means that new gcses can stay universal qualifications - accessible, with sensible teaching, towards the same proportion of pupils as now.
the specifications we are publishing nowadays too provide awarding organisations a clearer indication of your expectations in every subject.
under the previous system, specifications were too vague. this caused suspicion and speculation that a few exam boards were ‘harder’ than others, undermining the credibility of one's exam system just like a whole.
as well as a lot of detail in our own requirements for subject content can ensure bigger consistency and fairness across subjects and between exam boards.
by reducing variability within the system, we will confirm that all young folks leave school with qualifications respected by employers, universities and more education.
whereas creating gcse content a lot of rigorous, we should too correct the structural problems with gcses that we both inherited.
as today’s report direct from choose committee confirms, the issues with english gcse generated last summer proved beyond any doubt that the current system needs reform.
each the choose committee report and ofqual recognise that controlled assessment ( that counted for 60% of one's english gcse qualification ) undermined the reliability of one's assessment just like a whole.
that’s why i asked ofqual to review the regulatory framework for gcses :
to judge how we would possibly limit course work and controlled assessment ;
and likewise to reflect regarding the best approach we might elevate a cap on aspiration by reducing tier structure of the gcses.
i too asked ofqual to explore how we would possibly reform our grading structure higher to reflect the full choice of student ability and reward the best performers.
ofqual’s consultation sets out how reformed gcses can possibly be a lot of rigorous and stretching, and encourage students to develop and demonstrate deep understanding.
it's proposed that course work and controlled assessment can largely be replaced by linear, externally marked end-of-course exams.
it's proposed that the current 2 tier system can finish except where it's absolutely essential - in maths and science.
in those subjects, ofqual is consulting regarding the best approach to enhance the current arrangements to deal when using the issues now we have expressed about capping aspiration.
ofqual can be consulting on a fresh grading system which supplies fairer recognition towards the whole ability vary.
young folks during this country deserve an education system that may compete when using the best on earth, a system that sets - and achieves - high expectations.
today’s reforms are essential to attain this goal. by creating gcses a lot of demanding, a lot of fulfilling, and a lot of stretching we will provide our young folks the broad, deep and balanced education who can equip them to secure within the international race.
i commend this statement towards the house.
