Partner Article

Majority believe that 'dumbing down' debate will continue

A new survey by Newcastle based qualification provider NCFE has revealed that 68 per cent of people within the education sector do not think that an independent exams watchdog will increase confidence in exam standards.

The web-poll at www.ncfe.org.uk asked colleges, students and training providers across the UK “Do you think the creation of a new qualifications regulator will increase confidence that exam standards are being maintained?” 32 per cent of respondents answered yes and 68 per cent said no.

Since 1997 the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority has been responsible for overseeing the development of the school curriculum and for making sure that exams are run efficiently and standards are maintained.

The QCA has now split and the independent exams watchdog has been created in an effort to limit the annual debate about grade inflation and “dumbing down”. The regulator will also make regular reports, which will be laid before Parliament, assessing how well the systems for maintaining standards are working, making recommendations for improvement, and reporting on action taken on its previous recommendations.

David Grailey, Chief Executive at NCFE, said: “The debate surrounding exam standards is a very serious one. Students, colleges and employers need to have the utmost confidence in qualifications. Our poll makes it clear that everyone in education sees it as a key issue that has yet to be successfully addressed. “Over the next few years there look to be number of changes within the education system. NCFE welcomes any drive by the Government to regulate and maintain standards and hopes that this new initiative is successful.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .