Exam reforms proposed by Michael Gove won’t go far enough, according to education charity the Edge Foundation.
Lord Baker of Dorking, Chair of the Edge Foundation, says
"learning by doing" must be part of every young person's
education.
Launching a wide-ranging policy statement, 'Six Steps for
Change', Lord Baker said:
"It's vital that schools and colleges provide education which
develops practical skills and personal qualities as well as subject
knowledge. This has to include opportunities to learn by
doing.
"This isn't about the skills needed for a particular job. It's
about understanding how maths and English - and many other school
subjects - are used at work and in adult life.
"And not just that: it's also about teamwork, solving problems
and communicating with other people.
"Exams have to be capable of recognising all these talents."
Edge proposes a programme of studies for 14 - 18 year olds where
academic and hands-on subjects are combined.
Jan Hodges, Chief Executive of Edge, said:
"The vast majority of young people now stay in education or
training until they are 18. We don't need a school-leaving
certificate for 16 year olds.
"Instead, we need a general test at 14 to check student progress
and help guide subject choices.
"After that, students should combine academic and hands-on
subjects and earn credits towards a high school diploma at 18."
Check out newsnight for the debate with Jeremy
Paxman
Edge's "Six Steps for Change" call on politicians, practitioners
and the public to -
- recognise that there are many talents and paths to success
- ensure that "learning by doing" is valued equally with academic
learning
- provide technical, practical and vocational learning as an
integral and valued part of every young person's education and as a
recognised route to success
- from the age of 14, give young people a choice of learning
experiences and pathways based on their motivation, talents and
career aspirations
- ensure that the technical, practical and vocational education
and qualifications offered in schools, FE and HE are high quality
and recognised by employers
- ensure all young people, whatever their different abilities and
interests, leave the system with confidence, ambition and the
skills to succeed and the skills the economy needs
-ENDS-
Notes to editors
For more information or to set up an interview, please contact
Nicole Gross or Charlie Cox on 0207 960 1540, ngross@edge.co.uk or ccox@edge.co.uk
Six Steps for Change launch details:
Date: Monday 17
September
Time: 12:15 - 14:30
Location: Cholmondeley Room and Terrace at the
House of Lords
RSVP: To attend the Six Steps for Change
launch, please email ccox@edge.co.uk
About the Edge Foundation
The Edge Foundation is an independent education charity. It is
dedicated to raising the status of technical, practical and
vocational learning. All young people should have the
opportunity to achieve their potential and the UK's future
workforce needs to be equipped with the skills to be successful in
the modern, global economy. Edge believes that "learning by
doing" should be valued equally with academic learning and that all
learners should experience a mix of both. There are many
paths to success. To find out more, visit www.edge.co.uk