FabSwingers.com forum: Education

By *ark Gr8 Teddy Bear OP Man
over a year ago

Wigan

Better today of better 20 yrs ago? I personally think its worse today and that exams are easier. Especially knowing a B in maths is 50% when I was in school it was about 80%. Whats your _iews on education.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

A b is most certainly not 50%... I think education is always changing.. and improving.

My daughter 20years ago wouldn't have been given the chance to take exams..

I do however think that behavior in schools has deteriorated.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

The exams are definitely not easier than they were. The GCSE now do not have a coursework element, rather Controlled Assessments which are 2 hour essays in exam conditions which they do not to revisit.

As for the B - the general rule is A* - 80%, A - 70%, B - 60%, C - 50% for GCSE Higher tier.

Children are also encouraged to enter exams early, rather than at the end of a 2 year course which adds to the stress and pressures.

Working in education, I really do not think that education is getting easier, if anything its getting harder.

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By *ark Gr8 Teddy Bear OP Man
over a year ago

Wigan

"The exams are definitely not easier than they were. The GCSE now do not have a coursework element, rather Controlled Assessments which are 2 hour essays in exam conditions which they do not to revisit.

As for the B - the general rule is A* - 80%, A - 70%, B - 60%, C - 50% for GCSE Higher tier.

Children are also encouraged to enter exams early, rather than at the end of a 2 year course which adds to the stress and pressures.

Working in education, I really do not think that education is getting easier, if anything its getting harder."

I was just going off what I saw and that was 54% for a B.

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By *iewMan
Forum Mod
over a year ago

Angus & Findhorn

I feel for both the teachers and the pupils, the pressure on both these days, beggars belief.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I work in education and I can say its not easier at all

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By *ark Gr8 Teddy Bear OP Man
over a year ago

Wigan

"A b is most certainly not 50%... I think education is always changing.. and improving.

My daughter 20years ago wouldn't have been given the chance to take exams..

I do however think that behavior in schools has deteriorated. "

I have to agree with you on the behaviour. I had a strict head teacher and I'll always have the up most respect for him. The school went to pot when he left. And the kids these days, again in my opinion, need more discipline.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

As for the B - the general rule is A* - 80%, A - 70%, B - 60%, C - 50% for GCSE Higher tier.

Children are also encouraged to enter exams early, rather than at the end of a 2 year course which adds to the stress and pressures.

Working in education, I really do not think that education is getting easier, if anything its getting harder.

I was just going off what I saw and that was 54% for a B. "

It goes off the UMS scores, the raw scores that the candidates get. OFQUAL came out and said that they were expecting Science GCSE results this year to be lower as the exams on the new syllabus to be lower. It was very well documented in the press.

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By *ark Gr8 Teddy Bear OP Man
over a year ago

Wigan

I'm not trying to start an argument with this. I just wondered what others though. Lets all keep it civil.x

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By *ark Gr8 Teddy Bear OP Man
over a year ago

Wigan

I was also thinking its easier as these days every bit of information is available at the click of a button and you don't have to spend hours going through books in a library to find an answer.

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

"........

I do however think that behavior in schools has deteriorated. "

The teachers should stick to decaff at breaks.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I'm not trying to start an argument with this. I just wondered what others though. Lets all keep it civil.x"

Who wasn't being civil?

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By *ranny-CrumpetWoman
over a year ago

The Town by The Cross

"I'm not trying to start an argument with this. I just wondered what others though. Lets all keep it civil.x

Who wasn't being civil?"

I wondered that.

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By *ark Gr8 Teddy Bear OP Man
over a year ago

Wigan

"I'm not trying to start an argument with this. I just wondered what others though. Lets all keep it civil.x

Who wasn't being civil?

I wondered that. "

no one yet. I just wanted to keep it that way.x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I was also thinking its easier as these days every bit of information is available at the click of a button and you don't have to spend hours going through books in a library to find an answer."

I found it easier to use books than try to actually find relevant information on line.. as just because it's online doesn't mean it's correct.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

The internet is a great tool - however what children need to be taught is how to search effectively and also that Wikipedia isn't a reliable source.

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By *exxifun5Couple
over a year ago

NORWICH

Working In the education field I find that yes behaviour has deteriorated over the year's ... but on the other hand having gone through the exam process with my daughter, who is now in her last year of A levels, I think the exam pressure is extreme compared to when I took mine. my daughter started her exams in year ten and she sat a total of 13 exams . In year 11 she sat 22 in year 12 she sat 17 and this is all without the controlled assessments and mock exams . The studying really took its toll on her she is now in year 13 and hopefully next year off to uni to study midwifery . I am so proud of her and her commitment and drive to succeed in the career she has chosen . So before people start to judge at how easy exams are now , we should maybe look at the years spent studying and all the exams they have to sit. As I know in my day it was one exam per subject.

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

" ....... Wikipedia isn't a reliable source.

Agreed, but it CAN be a good starting point.

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By *heScotandthegirlCouple
over a year ago

London & Edinburgh

controversially this is my opinion.

School/education is just as tough and so much is asked/demanded of our young people.

However due to poor parenting so many kids start school at a disadvantage.

Too often the finger of "blame" is pointed at schools/teachers

Ruby x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

As for the B - the general rule is A* - 80%, A - 70%, B - 60%, C - 50% for GCSE Higher tier.

Children are also encouraged to enter exams early, rather than at the end of a 2 year course which adds to the stress and pressures.

Working in education, I really do not think that education is getting easier, if anything its getting harder.

I was just going off what I saw and that was 54% for a B. "

Basically that means if this person scored lower than 50% in that exam. They would fail. As some papers have a couple of good grades and then a fail. Whereas lower papers have a lot of grades and you need a muh higher percentage to get the better grades and those higher grades aren't as good as if you took a different paper and only score 50%.

Behaviour on the other hand has gone down hill and if I was going by area. I can safely say all schools are guilty of this as if the "older" people on here did what the younger generation do. What would their punishment be compared with now?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Education today seems much worse, and a GCSE in English is worthless!

I know - I've sat there, inter_iewing school-leavers for office work and know that you have to give them a basic written test in spelling and punctuation - and most of the results are dismal!!!!

It's really hard to give a school-leaver a decent job these days because they just don't have the basic usable skills, and it makes me so angry!!!

Sorry - rant over.....

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Education today seems much worse, and a GCSE in English is worthless!

I know - I've sat there, inter_iewing school-leavers for office work and know that you have to give them a basic written test in spelling and punctuation - and most of the results are dismal!!!!

It's really hard to give a school-leaver a decent job these days because they just don't have the basic usable skills, and it makes me so angry!!!

Sorry - rant over.....

I don't see why someone doesn't suggest passing tests on various things that are important in life and you can't graduate without them. For example what has poetry, Shakespeare, and what a writer thinks when writing stuff has to do with life

They should teach them how to write letters, spell and use the correct punctuation, etc. Plus teach them numeracy and other various number skills and also using a computer with various sorts of documents. Anything else on top of that should be career orientated and perhaps a teacher can help with that. So many things that are unimportant are being taught these days. People dot know the basics and are unmotivated to learn. Plus I believe we need proper discipline for children who can't behave properly.

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

"......

However due to poor parenting so many kids start school at a disadvantage.

Too often the finger of "blame" is pointed at schools/teachers

Ruby x"

That's how it works though. If lots of people die in hospital, the hospitals/ doctors get the blame - not the patients lifestyle.

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By *heScotandthegirlCouple
over a year ago

London & Edinburgh

i agree... does that make it right though?

People need to take responsibility for their own lifestyle/family/choices.

It shouldn't all be on the central services.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"i agree... does that make it right though?

People need to take responsibility for their own lifestyle/family/choices.

It shouldn't all be on the central services."

Well said

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By *ugby 123Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

O o O oo

"I'm not trying to start an argument with this. I just wondered what others though. Lets all keep it civil.x"

It is civil

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By *ce WingerMan
over a year ago

P.O. Box DE1 0NQ

All I know is that I used a slide rule and a logarithm book, with a pencil and paper to work things out rather than calculators & computers

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

For what it's worth, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) website says

"In principle, the intention of examining teams is to set examinations which have a pass mark of 50% for Grade C and a grade boundary of 70% for Grade A.

However, in practice, examinations may prove to be more or less demanding and the passmark at C and grade boundary at A may be set to reflect this.

The grade boundary for Grade B is set mid-way between the passmark for Grade

C and the grade boundary for Grade A.

The grade boundary for Grade D is set at the passmark for Grade C minus 25% of

the difference between the passmark for Grade C and the grade boundary for

Grade A. "

Bet you're glad you asked.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

As for the B - the general rule is A* - 80%, A - 70%, B - 60%, C - 50% for GCSE Higher tier.

Children are also encouraged to enter exams early, rather than at the end of a 2 year course which adds to the stress and pressures.

Working in education, I really do not think that education is getting easier, if anything its getting harder."

The general rule of thumb is you need Approx 25% to gain a C grade on the Higher paper. A 'B' is approx 40% I think. However, as was already mentioned above, the grade you receive is dependent on what the 'cohort' you are in receive. But the GCSEs are certainly not easy...today's educational system seem to be covering more and more. Therefore the chances of getting a test paper with all your strong topics in, is getting slimmer.

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

Isn't the G in GCSE supposed to be for general?

GCSEs seem to have become highly subject specific, almost like compulsory preparation for further/ higher education rather than a route to one of many options, including apprenticeship.

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By *mm_n_ZedCouple
over a year ago

Fareham

I don't really understand the problem with using modern technology as an aid to learning or research. So what if we used scrolls /slates / pencils / quills / inkwells in the past? Nowadays people have calculators and computers at their disposal.

It's like saying we used to start engines using a starting handle or beat clothes on a flat rock next to the river as if they were somehow better than ignition keys and washing machines.

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

"I don't really understand the problem with using modern technology as an aid to learning or research. So what if we used scrolls /slates / pencils / quills / inkwells in the past? Nowadays people have calculators and computers at their disposal.

........."

Such devices might not always be available. Like a poster above, I learned to use a slide rule and, in the event of a major long term power cut, it'll be a useful skill.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Perhaps the behaviour has deterioted due to the means of punishment for bad behaviour has..we had the cane.slipper.detention..the list goes on.now a teacher( or parent)cant say or do anything against a child.."they have rights!".At school we were taught please.thank you were a basic requirement.We didn't have mob phones.24 hour tv.internet...now im feeling old!!perhaps education starts at home or am i naive??

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By *ark Gr8 Teddy Bear OP Man
over a year ago

Wigan

"Perhaps the behaviour has deterioted due to the means of punishment for bad behaviour has..we had the cane.slipper.detention..the list goes on.now a teacher( or parent)cant say or do anything against a child.."they have rights!".At school we were taught please.thank you were a basic requirement.We didn't have mob phones.24 hour tv.internet...now im feeling old!!perhaps education starts at home or am i naive??

I have to say I agree with you.

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By *ark Gr8 Teddy Bear OP Man
over a year ago

Wigan

"I'm not trying to start an argument with this. I just wondered what others though. Lets all keep it civil.x

It is civil"

keep reading to my post after this. Thank you

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I love how every generation thinks their work was harder and their behaviour better than the current generation.

Personally as someone who went through Education in 4 different countries and obtained degrees galore education changes, some gets easier some harder, but what I would definitely say is that my children (one primary one selective grammar) both enjoy school more and learn more than I did. However they don't do Latin nor do they do some of the more obscure harder subjects we did. The "behaviour" thing is a rose tinted spectacles thing.

I'd also say the standard of teaching is far higher than it's ever been.

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By *ugby 123Couple
Forum Mod
over a year ago

O o O oo

"I'm not trying to start an argument with this. I just wondered what others though. Lets all keep it civil.x

It is civil

keep reading to my post after this. Thank you"

I did, and was even more confused.

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