Equivalence

I haveblogged before about the government's attempts to a) fiddle the GCSE exam results and b) carry out a bit of social engineering by making one GNVQ equal in "value" to four A-grade GCSE passes - "in 2005 GCSE results again improved but only because this statistic fiddling government decided that a GNVQ was equivalent to four A-C GCSE passes. Where the figure of four comes from we are not told and I doubt that one GNVQ is equal to one A-C GCSE pass. If you exclude GCSE equivalents from the pass rates in 2005 then according to... Telegraph report the magnificent results start to look less magnificent; "The inexorable rise in the five or more A*-C pass rate looks less impressive once vocational qualifications are taken out of the calculation. The GCSE pass rate on its own has remained almost stagnant for the last five years, hovering around 50 per cent.". Take a look at that article of mine it has quite a lot of interesting information.

It was reported yesterday that this fiddling Labour government plans to make their new Diploma equivalent to three and a half A-levels. "The decision by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service means students may find it easier to get into university by taking the new courses, which will combine vocational and academic studies.

It could lead to a sharp increase in the number of pupils going to university, particularly those from poor backgrounds who are often turned off by purely academic study.

However, there are fears the diploma - which will include subjects such as hospitality and hair and beauty - may be less rigorous than A-levels.

Although universities will not be obliged to admit teenagers with a diploma, it is thought the move will pile pressure on admissions tutors to look favourably on the new qualifications.

Ministers believe they will become the "qualification of choice" over GCSEs and A-levels.

Head teachers admitted that the A-level equivalent value of the diploma - coupled with the promise of extra cash for pupils taking the qualification - would increase the number of institutions offering it.

But critics suggested the untested qualification may have been pitched too high.

Michael Gove, the shadow children's secretary, said: "The A-level is a tried and tested examination which the world's leading universities recognise.

"It is jumping the gun to say that an exam which hasn't even been rigorously tested should be worth more than three A-levels.""

So more social engineering and a "dumbing down" of educational standards from this Labour government, this time associated with a bribe to educational establishments. Has this government no shame? I think we all know the answer to that question.