GCSE ENGLISH(subject) FIASCO 2012

Photograph: David Levene/Guardian

GCSE is the gateway to A levels and employment

In the January sitting the early candidates were marked "generously" as reported by Ofqual(Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulations) in June.As Ofqual has stated, the issue is the January grade boundaries which were retrospectively found to have been graded generously.Therefore the resultant change came midway to set the right level for the June Exam marking.

 WHY MIDWAY? WHAT IS THE BASIS FOR REACHING SUCH A DECISION AND SUCH TIMING?

Changing grade boundaries and thereby creating a differentiation in marking between two sets of candidates sitting for the same exam is a very serious decision which has immediate and long term implications as evidenced by the furore from the teaching profession, professional associations, unions and the public at large.

In order to appease the anticipated response Ofqual offers an early re-sit for the June candidates.

IN THE NAME OF MAINTAINING STANDARDS IS THIS AN ISSUE OF GRADING OR RE-SIT? THE FORMER CONCERNS THE EXAMINER AND THE LATTER, THE CANDIDATE.

In the meantime the Welsh Education Secretary,Leighton Andrews has ordered WJEC(JOINT WELSH EDUCATION COMMITTEE)BOARD on 11th September to regrade the June GCSE English papers in the name of justice. WJEC is a Welsh board with more candidates in England than in Wales.
The Welsh education secretary has the power to order this.Michael Grove, the English counterpart, has declined to intervene.

AS WALES CAN GO AHEAD WITH THIS DECISION,WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THOSE CANDIDATES FROM ENGLAND WHO TAKE THE GCSE FROM OTHER ENGLISH BOARDS?

It is important to bear in mind that while the education system is the same in England and Wales, Ofqual, described as a partner of the Department of Education and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skill,is not directly controlled by the government but reports to Parliament.

AS A REGULATOR AND ACCREDITOR OF QUAFICATIONS WHO IS OFQUAL ACCOUNTABLE TO ULTIMATELY? WHAT DOES THE GOVERNMENT MEAN BY HAVING EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS OF WHICH OFQUAL IS ONE AMONG OTHERS? HOW CLEAR IS THE CHAIN OF COMMAND?

WHILE MICHAEL GOVE IS ENORMOUSLY SYMPATHETIC TO THE STUDENTS, HIS PREOCCUPATION WITH THE EXAM ITSELF, THAT IT REQUIRES COMPLETE REFORM HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE IMMEDIATE ISSUE OF THE DIFFERENCE IN GRADING.DOES THIS INDICATE THAT THE POLITICAL UNDERLYING AGENDA IS NOT TO IMPROVE GCSE BUT TO REVERT TO THE O LEVEL EXAM AS FAVOURED BY THE EDUCATION SECRETARY.