Monthly Educational Research Update
September 2008
Executive Summary
This month has seen research which looks at the problems surrounding maths and science teaching. A report from the CBI addresses the alarming fact that only 7% of 16-year-olds study the three separate science subjects at GCSE. This is a concern as many have argued that the double award science GCSE does not offer suitable preparation for anyone wishing to continue on to A-level science......
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Too few pupils taking up the three separate sciences at GCSE
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has released a five point plan to spur greater take-up of science subjects at GCSE.
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Factors behind improved maths attainment
Researchers led by Edward Melhuish of Birkbeck College at the University of London have studied factors that boosts a child's chances of achieving in maths.
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GCSEs and vocational qualifications
Civitas has produced a research report that highlights the pernicious effect that the government's handling of vocational qualifications has when it comes to school league tables based on the proportion of pupils who achieve five or more A* to C grades at GCSE.
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The problem with school league tables
Ofsted have produced an illuminating report on the value and limitations of contextual-value added assessment of school performance.
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Rising costs involved in sending a child to school in the maintained sector
A report from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), sponsored by ASDA, suggests that the costs involved in sending a child to school in the maintained sector have risen by 2.3% in the last year to £1,078; the annual increase had averaged just 0.8%
per annum over the last ten years.
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Declining literacy and numeracy of new employees
A report for the Institute of Directors (IoD), in association with the Curriculum, Evaluation and Management Centre at Durham University, reveals that 71% of members believe that the writing abilities of new employees has worsened and that 61% believe that numeracy has declined over the last decade.
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Leadership in schools
A report from the OECD seeks to outline how better leadership might be encouraged in schools.
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Civitas: Are Sats failing in their purpose?
Civitas has published a damning report which suggests that teachers do not believe Sats give an accurate reflection of pupils' abilities.
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A comparison of the English core primary curriculum to those of other high performing countries
The English core primary curriculum has been compared to that of other high performing countries by Graham Ruddock and Marian Sainsbury for the National Foundation for Education Research (NFER).
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