I think as b3th says it's getting better for the purposes of passing the current set of exams.
It's a really tricky subject, particularly when schools compete based on league tables so are less likely to enter less-able pupils, and then exam boards compete by selling exams that may be easier for certain candidates to deal with (although they're not really supposed to do that).

It boils down to the fact that assessment needs to be done somehow, but for what purpose? Surely, exam results aren't really supposed to make little Johnny or Jane feel better about themselves - they are (at best) indicators of (a) what you know, (b) what you can do, and - maybe most important - (c) how well you can learn other stuff.
(BrianHequator was stretching owls, on, or around, Thu 18 Aug 2011, 14:06, 2 replies, latest was 14 years ago)

completely agree but cannot think of a suitable alternative to what is already in place.

( SteveFrench Cardio is for homo's. do you even lift bro?, Thu 18 Aug 2011, 14:08, Reply)

and d) if you're up for a bit of no-questions-asked noncery round the back of the PE block.

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 18 Aug 2011, 14:11, Reply)

Well, I never went to no posh school like you, Monters. Comprehensive lad, me.

(BrianHequator was stretching owls, on, or around, Thu 18 Aug 2011, 14:16, Reply)

It's what built the Empire.

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 18 Aug 2011, 14:22, Reply)

Getting lashed down and sodomised with a rum bottle, eh? Ah, halcyon days ...

(BrianHequator was stretching owls, on, or around, Thu 18 Aug 2011, 14:23, Reply)