Michael Gove to announce new 'rigorous' exams - what do you think?

[KateMumsnet]

Our blogprompt this week is inspired by the news that Michael Gove's proposed reform of GSCEs will go ahead after all. According to this article, he's promising tougher standards, three hour exams, and an end to modular assessment. What's more, only one in 10 pupils will receive the top 'grade 1' mark...

What do you think - a welcome return to 'rigour'? Or a retrograde step which will result in a two-tier education system? Post your URLs and join the discussion here.

[CreativeFL0]

A FURIOUS Nick Clegg VOWS to block Michael Gove's plan to scrap GCSEs!
fightforyourchild.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/a-furious-nick-clegg-vows-to-block.html

[SophRunning]

I think it's a total disaster for my daughter and for other children with special educational needs. Here's why

[sprachrohr]

Hello Mr Gove, I am not surprised about your suggested changes to the GCSEs. After all, you know best what's best for our children. And the good old ways can never be wrong. It indeed works for children who go to public schools who will come out tomp trumps regardless whether they are bright or not. Where there is money there are opportunities. But even then, public school education does not make you fit for the wider world of nowadays. In fact, the opposite is the case. Public school children tend to move in their own circles (bubbles) because they don't know how to genuinely interact with the rest of the population which accounts for 90% of the English society. So please, by all means, introduce your wonderful novelty of Exams of yesteryear to the Public schools but allow the state schools to teach in a modern and enlightening way.
If I may suggest something useful for you to do: you could introduce a sound foundation for vocational training and dual training (which is a combination of vaocational and study) for all those wonderful young people who feel utterly lost and not respected by the government at the moment. If I may also take the liberty to suggest that you look at the German model which has almost 100% youth in training in 3 year blocks and is the backbone of the envied success of the German economy.I do hope you will become more aware of your social mandate as an Education Minister and not just clear the path for those ambitious parents in society who can take care of themselves.
Yours sincerley
a frustrated but still hopeful citizen

[ThinkingWomansTrumpet]

Will the new GCSE disadvantage girls?

www.thethinkingwomanstrumpet.blogspot.co.uk/

[KateMumsnet]

Thanks all - great posts.

And sprachrohr - why aren't you blogging on our network ;) ? You would be a v welcome addition - have a look here] for details of how to set up a blog (if you haven't already) - and [[http://www.mumsnet.com/info/join?bloggers_network=1 here for info on joining the network.

[aokay]

just me or does michael gove look like he was bullied in school? ;)

[hilaryross57]

I believe that exams should be tougher - it is important that these kids are kept on their toes and encouraged to work hard as you cannot just glide through life.

However, these steps should be introduced gradually. It is totally unfair and appalling that these poor youngsters have inherited this much pressure from a man who, I believe, is completely out of touch.