Skills undermined by science A level changes

The decision by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) to remove the examination and grading of practicals from science A levels in England has been criticised by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).

A levels and AS qualifications in England are currently assessed using a combination of written examinations – marked by independent exam boards – plus written and other assessments, such as laboratory tasks, marked by teachers.

Non exam-based assessments currently contribute between 20-30 per cent of marks in biology, physics and chemistry A levels. In the future, Ofqual is proposing that A levels are graded solely on written examinations marked by exam boards.

Ofqual is also proposing that practical assessments are reported separately, assessed by teachers and moderated by examination boards.

By contrast, A levels in history, geography, computing, English language and English literature will continue to be graded using a combination of examinations (80 per cent) and assessments (20 per cent).

Dr David Brown, IChemE’s chief executive, said: “Ofqual has cited concerns about the ‘conduct of the assessments and their failure to discriminate between students’ as well as the difficulty of moderating some assessments made by teachers.

“Clearly these are challenges, but it seems illogical to remove practical assessments from science, when it remains at the heart of grading in other subjects.

'Chemical and process engineering employers need graduates and apprentices with strong practical skills as well as sound knowledge and understanding. It's important that we give these skills the priority they deserve from school level onwards, along with the resources for really engaging practical science. These A level reforms take us in the wrong direction.'

The Campaign for Science and Engineering’s (CaSE) director, Sarah Main, said: 'I am shocked and dismayed by the decision to remove practical assessment from A level science grades, in the face of objections from across the science community. These reforms risk robbing students of the opportunity to find out if they enjoy doing science. And they could strike a serious blow to the government’s ambition to put science and engineering at the heart of the UK’s future economy.

“The changes will not help students who we know are inspired and motivated by doing science, not just learning about science.  And they will not help universities, colleges and companies who already struggle to recruit people with the practical experience they need.

“CaSE calls for practical experience to be at the heart of A level science teaching and for its place to be assured by making it mandatory and rigorously assessed.”

Ofqual is recommending the new science A and AS levels are taught from September 2015.