Doubts cast on baccalaureates value

13 Sep 07
Attainment levels would drop if A-levels were replaced by a baccalaureate system, according to education researchers.

14 September 2007

Attainment levels would drop if A-levels were replaced by a baccalaureate system, according to education researchers.

The government has promised to introduce the International Baccalaureate to every area in England by 2010. The course allows pupils to study a broader range of subjects beyond the age

of 16.

But research from the University of Staffordshire has indicated that this broadening would have a detrimental effect on achievement levels as pupils would not have the freedom to concentrate on their strongest subjects.

They also said that there was no evidence to show that baccalaureate holders obtained higher-paid jobs.

'It therefore cannot be argued that there are employment benefits which should be taken into account beyond the effects on average examination performance,' research team leader Professor Peter Davies said.

Head teachers have also expressed scepticism about the baccalaureate's value. The Association of School and College Leaders has warned that the qualification would be costly to implement and would need extra resources from Whitehall.

The research teams studied the A-level course selection made by students in 622 English schools and sixth form colleges. They found that, in general, pupils made well-informed, rational choices about what subjects to study at A-level based on prior attainment levels.

The findings were presented at the annual conference of the British Educational Research Association in London on September 7.

PFsep2007

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