Indeed Peter. It was reported on the box that many Unis and employers are now setting their own entrance tests because they have no confidence in the state exam - an absurd state of affairs. Also, many of the A level subjects taken now are not hard academic (useful to industry) subjects like Maths, Physics, Chemistry etc. But easy 'fuzzy' subjects - like 'media studies'. Many commentators are now posing questions like, What's that mean? (Probably means watching every episode of Big Brother and then reporting who said what about whom) What use is it? And want are the criteria for a pass in one of these fuzzy new subjects?
How would you feel about letting a person with these New labour approved A level passes in Media Studies, or the like, fly your plane, operate on your brain, defend you in a murder case? Would you have 100% confidence in them, in their academic ability? Or would you prefer proper A-graders in maths, biology, and English literature? It's a poser, isn't it?
Officer Dibble - just speakin' as a CSE lad, like.
A Levels
Re: A Levels
My pals daughter just passed all A levels straight A''s. And apparently the possible highest A level pass in the country.
He was like me not too hot at reading and writing, and the tears of pride in his eyes this week, priceless.
They got to worth something, even if it was just that moment.
MM my poor old mum had to hang there heaad in shame with me at school, nd in the end decided it was best for me not to be there.
But with all those A levels someone has to run the country, so thick fuckers like me can go round knobbing for a living.
He was like me not too hot at reading and writing, and the tears of pride in his eyes this week, priceless.
They got to worth something, even if it was just that moment.
MM my poor old mum had to hang there heaad in shame with me at school, nd in the end decided it was best for me not to be there.
But with all those A levels someone has to run the country, so thick fuckers like me can go round knobbing for a living.
--
http://www.ukroadtrips.com
http://www.ukroadtrips.com
Re: A Levels
" But easy 'fuzzy' subjects - like 'media studies'. Many commentators are now posing questions like, What's that mean? "
When I worked in newspapers, the newbies clutching their media studies degree were always dismayed when they were packed of for proper journalism training, and learned all they needed to know in 16 weeks instead of the 3 years they'd wasted.
When I worked in newspapers, the newbies clutching their media studies degree were always dismayed when they were packed of for proper journalism training, and learned all they needed to know in 16 weeks instead of the 3 years they'd wasted.
We have need of you again, great king.
Re: A Levels
Marino wrote:
> My pals daughter just passed all A levels straight A''s. And
> apparently the possible highest A level pass in the country.
>
> He was like me not too hot at reading and writing, and the
> tears of pride in his eyes this week, priceless.
>
> They got to worth something, even if it was just that moment.
>
Thats the whole problem though, she may have actually deserved her grades, but this "prize for everyone" culture only serves to diminish the acievements of those who truly deserve it.
> My pals daughter just passed all A levels straight A''s. And
> apparently the possible highest A level pass in the country.
>
> He was like me not too hot at reading and writing, and the
> tears of pride in his eyes this week, priceless.
>
> They got to worth something, even if it was just that moment.
>
Thats the whole problem though, she may have actually deserved her grades, but this "prize for everyone" culture only serves to diminish the acievements of those who truly deserve it.
We have need of you again, great king.
Re: A Levels
I could never read any of the exam papers as I get anything official all jumbled up, then it goes blurred and I feel sick, multipal choice was alright though just ticked one box, and always managed to get my name right.
--
http://www.ukroadtrips.com
http://www.ukroadtrips.com
Re: A Levels
Marino wrote:
> always managed to get my name right
Thats probably a C these days.
> always managed to get my name right
Thats probably a C these days.
We have need of you again, great king.
Re: A Levels
One of the many reasons I've neither visited nor posted here for some months is because I proffered my resignation a while ago as a Departmental Academic Director at one of our oldest and best universities. Grudgingly and reluctantly was it accepted, not for any ability on my part, but because they will struggle to fill the truly thankless task. It was my own fault I was happy as senior fellow and reader in my department until an old friend asked me to 'help out' for a couple of years. Little did I know what I was to confront. It was simply not worth the extra ?30k a year.
So we've been doing some 'lifestyle re-engineering' this summer whilst decamped to our house in France.
A-Levels are a joke ; the range of subjects has widened and many of the new are excellent. But as someone said, they ARE easier. In fact some of them embarrassingly so ; and even once proud traditional academic subjects have definitely lowered their standards. I should know ; my wife marks A-Level papers and I've had the joy of managing the subsequent expectations of thousands of hopeful applicants.
The target of 50% of A-Level students at university is a joke ; the rationale is one of deferred employment opportunity and an increasing desire to see university funding through individual and private means. One reason why so many universities LOVE mature and overseas students.
The UCAS and Higher Education Regulatory bodies are a joke ; only interested in a numbers and financial bottom-line game. The number of exam papers mis-marked or simply mis-laid is frightening and a national scandal. Many universities would love to run their own affairs without governmental interference but there is little chance of that with Rev. Tony and the Parish of New Albion. Tone's credo is 'modernisation' without having a clue about the ramifications.
The Education System mirrors New Labour's Britain ; plenty of gloss and glamour but very little real improvement or substance. Over-managed but under-led, my old job seemed a microcosm of Britain. The management-speak and pseudo-professional business language quite appalling. Just what is 'pushing the envelope, anyway ? Quite frankly, they're all welcome to it.
I'm lucky ; I've been offered senior posts in both the US and Europe at fine universities with wonderful teaching and research opportunities and we head for Europe (even though we spend a lot of time there anyway) in a few months time. We can't wait. The house is rented out at ?1400pcm for three years, so whatever we earn we can save toward an earlier retirement and to write books. I can still watch the football on Sky. But I will miss the garden, especially in early and late summer.
So we've been doing some 'lifestyle re-engineering' this summer whilst decamped to our house in France.
A-Levels are a joke ; the range of subjects has widened and many of the new are excellent. But as someone said, they ARE easier. In fact some of them embarrassingly so ; and even once proud traditional academic subjects have definitely lowered their standards. I should know ; my wife marks A-Level papers and I've had the joy of managing the subsequent expectations of thousands of hopeful applicants.
The target of 50% of A-Level students at university is a joke ; the rationale is one of deferred employment opportunity and an increasing desire to see university funding through individual and private means. One reason why so many universities LOVE mature and overseas students.
The UCAS and Higher Education Regulatory bodies are a joke ; only interested in a numbers and financial bottom-line game. The number of exam papers mis-marked or simply mis-laid is frightening and a national scandal. Many universities would love to run their own affairs without governmental interference but there is little chance of that with Rev. Tony and the Parish of New Albion. Tone's credo is 'modernisation' without having a clue about the ramifications.
The Education System mirrors New Labour's Britain ; plenty of gloss and glamour but very little real improvement or substance. Over-managed but under-led, my old job seemed a microcosm of Britain. The management-speak and pseudo-professional business language quite appalling. Just what is 'pushing the envelope, anyway ? Quite frankly, they're all welcome to it.
I'm lucky ; I've been offered senior posts in both the US and Europe at fine universities with wonderful teaching and research opportunities and we head for Europe (even though we spend a lot of time there anyway) in a few months time. We can't wait. The house is rented out at ?1400pcm for three years, so whatever we earn we can save toward an earlier retirement and to write books. I can still watch the football on Sky. But I will miss the garden, especially in early and late summer.
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Illinoisblue
- Posts: 557
- Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:40 am
Re: A Levels
Wow, from Mario the hardcore pornstar to WillieBo the Academic Director in just two steps - what a thread this is turning out to be!
Re: A Levels
IllinoisBlue :
That's Ex-Academic Director !! Sorry, but I mean that fondly, I can never get the emoticons right !
That's Ex-Academic Director !! Sorry, but I mean that fondly, I can never get the emoticons right !
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Illinoisblue
- Posts: 557
- Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:40 am
Re: A Levels
My apologies, EX-Academic Director!
I agree with your remarks about 'pushing the envelope' - what DOES that mean? What envelope is it and where is it being pushed to?
One to be filed away in the big box of corporate bullshit waffle alongside that other hateful term 'blue sky thinking'. A phrase coined, I think, by John Birt when he was at the BBC.
I agree with your remarks about 'pushing the envelope' - what DOES that mean? What envelope is it and where is it being pushed to?
One to be filed away in the big box of corporate bullshit waffle alongside that other hateful term 'blue sky thinking'. A phrase coined, I think, by John Birt when he was at the BBC.