Well...
ok, let's see - universities are reinstating entrance exams because the "pass at all costs" culture under this government has led to teachers basically doing the exams for students in some case.

Case in point - West Ridings school in Yorkshire. One year it is in danger of being closed because the kids are functionally illiterate. One quick round of NUT meetings and a new head teacher later and the next years' students are rated as the highest acheiving in the district. Now, I may just be being cynical, but that smacks of political engineering, rather than a dramatic leap in academic ability.

Second case, the head of the Cambridge Examination board quits after 20+ years as the GCSE and A level results are climibing towards 100% of students getting all A grades - the whole point of the percentile system is that only the top 10 or so percent get an A grade, regardless, but we now have a system that doesn't dumb down the questions, but does give marks for being vaguely in the right area. So if a kid puts something that has a vague connection with the subject, the markers are encouraged to take it as correct.

I am not saying it's the kids' fault - far from it - I think it is shameful that teachers, unions and the government would fuck up a generation of our youth in order to try and score political points. Before any teachers on here go mental at me, I also understand it is hard to teach a bunch of kids with no interest in learning and who you can't discipline for fear of being beaten up, sacked, or branded a kiddie-fiddler. I don't know the solution, but I do know that things need to change.

So, the upshot is that Universities now view anyone from a comprehensive with suspicion, despite Government policy trying to push them to accept state school kids over those who went private/public. Eton or a similar school might not be full of geniuses, but they will at least have been made to learn something, as the kids will be examined every year and turfed out if they don't reach the standard - it's that simple. By having done away with grammar schools, etc, the state education system no longer makes any allowance for brighter pupils, as all students are now supposed to leave with 27 A levels at A* and above, by government decree.
(Chad, Thu 16 Oct 2008, 11:03, Reply)