tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861279106331108648.post8004609963498996900..comments2023-09-24T01:25:13.638-07:00Comments on Witterings from Witney: GCSE A* MathsWitteringsfromWitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16026875251366365154noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861279106331108648.post-58151633789614318982011-08-25T14:10:42.234-07:002011-08-25T14:10:42.234-07:00PC: Agreed, your first two paras.
W42: Yup agree....PC: Agreed, your first two paras.<br /><br />W42: Yup agree.<br /><br />d Why not? Rewriting history is par for the course is it not?WitteringsfromWitneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16026875251366365154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861279106331108648.post-76694482849749307492011-08-25T11:34:15.910-07:002011-08-25T11:34:15.910-07:00I wonder is it possible to have my crappy O level ...I wonder is it possible to have my crappy O level and A level results(two E's and a D) from the mid 1980's ,adjusted in the manner of other Government figures?..it would certainly enhance my CV?dougalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15565194138858211612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861279106331108648.post-28162475176641458372011-08-25T11:19:04.293-07:002011-08-25T11:19:04.293-07:00It would be interesting to compare those pretend q...It would be interesting to compare those pretend questions with the 11plus which we all took in the days of grammar schools. My guess is they might not be too far out of place.Woodsy42https://www.blogger.com/profile/12355671210161625647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861279106331108648.post-46624656756356228832011-08-25T08:16:54.053-07:002011-08-25T08:16:54.053-07:00Indeed we are relentlessly told the standard of ed...Indeed we are relentlessly told the standard of education is improving where the truth is the debasement of education is increasing. Back in the 50s and 60s a British 'A' Level was the equivalent of the first year University exam in the USA, now it is the equivalent of 1950s 'O' Level.<br /><br />We are also relentlessly told how hard modern school kids work, how much homework they do and how hateful it is to implicitly criticise them because we think exams are getting easier. They probably do work hard, those that aspire to the top grades at least, however they are not taught the subject any more, they are taught answers, if you have a good memory you can pass a modern 'A' or 'O' level with absolutely no understanding of the subject. It is the same as training an apprentice carpenter to sand and polish wood to mirror-like perfection but not bothering to teach them how to make a joint.<br /><br />I was present at the beginning of our educational debasement and experienced it first hand. A new exam paper was the first part and I recognised it for the debasement it was even then. This was the CSE, introduced to replace 'O' Levels. As mine was a Catholic school (actually one of the first comprehensives) everyone was required to take the CSE Religious Instruction paper. Being a bit of a rebel (some called me a trouble-maker would you believe?) and, I am now embarrassed to admit, because being in the Alpha stream I regarded both the subject and the paper an insult, I determined that I would neither revise for it nor make any effort to pass. As I recall it was a 90 min. multiple choice paper which I finished in less than 40 minutes. I achieved a grade 1 pass, equivalent to an 'O' Level pass of at least grade C. In truth had I taken an RI 'O' Level I would certainly have failed, revision or not.<br /><br />The second element of debasement I did not recognise at the time. The teaching establishment of the school gradually progressed from a majority of 30-ish plus and roughly half male teachers to at least a parity if not a majority of 21 - 22 year old girls. While this was both exciting and aesthetically pleasing to the male half of our classes and we had a great deal of fun at their expense we did not learn very much, especially when we realised we already knew more of the subject than they did.<br /><br />As an aside, another incident that I recall explains much of our problems as a country today. During our career options 'talk' one person asked what should people do if they failed their 'A' Levels. I have never forgotten the answer. "Well, unless you want to work in a factory or dig holes for a living there are only two choices, teaching or the civil service."PeterCharlesnoreply@blogger.com