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Original poster

97 % pass rate for A-Levels ; how did that happen?

318 replies

m1m1rie · 18/08/2006 11:20

I took my A-levels in 1989 and passed all three, and was in the minority amongst my peers. Most people failed at least one and only the really, really clever ones could achieve A-grades. Now, with so many passing and record numbers achieving A-grades how do we differentiate between those who are genuinely talented and those who are not? A girl I know has just passed 3 A-levels. She spends her days chatting on her mobile, obsessing about herself and often didn't bother going into college if she didn't feel like it. She even turned up late for one of her exams. As far as being 'clever' is concerned, she couldn't hold a conversation with you unless it was about celebrities or herself, and yet she has managed to pass all three A-levels. I am dumbstruck. I find it demeans those who do put effort into learning as they will all just be lumped in together now and treated with disdain by those who think that all kids are thick and only have A-levels because the exams are easier to pass now. Whatever is going on with the current system, it's not doing anyone any favours, it only serves to make Government stats look good.

OP posts:
SenoraPostrophe · 23/08/2006 15:45

I don't know. literature enhances life in a lot of ways. maybe reading proust will give a car mechanic greater patience with dodgy repairs/badly designed cars?

Blandmum · 23/08/2006 15:51

My concern is not the car mechanic who can discuss Proust (all power to him), but rather the lack of machanics that we have because people would rather do a degree in a subject like pet grooming

UnquietDad · 23/08/2006 15:53

I don't think I've ever (intentionally) argued that we should ONLY provide university places on the basis of economic need. Quite the reverse. I was making the distinction below between education (learning in and of itself) and training (preparation for a specific career).

Parents are misled by the mistaken assumption that university education=high earnings, when you may earn more as a plumber or mechanic than in a graduate job (at least at first).

UnquietDad · 23/08/2006 15:55

We need a straw poll (although perhaps not here) - who'd be happy for DD/DS to become a mechanic if all his/her friends were going to university? Might be interesting.

We should be, of course, but I wonder how many of us would be.

SenoraPostrophe · 23/08/2006 15:56

there isn't really a lack of mechanics though is there?

UnquietDad · 23/08/2006 15:58

I don't know really. Mechanics are only one example. There is definitely (or seems to be) a case of demand exceeding supply for many other skilled manual workers - roofers, carpenters, joiners, plumbers, boiler-menders etc. There is in my area, anyway.

Blandmum · 23/08/2006 15:58

if the cost of the last service on my car is anything to go by, they are in short enough supply to have racked up their costs

There are shortages in all sorts of skilled trades nowerdays. The building trade is short of all sorts of things.

My mate is a hairdresser and she says they can seldom get a good enough student who is actually prepared to work.

MrsFio · 23/08/2006 15:59

gosh this thread is depressing, not that I have read it all but what I have read sounds like you are 'old' and snobby

and have you ever tried going for a job in a technical area of expertise that you have worked in for the last 15 or so years but do not have a degree in, but nevertheless know like the back of your hand? Well i tell you this, they pay you shit wages, belittle you, think the 22 yr old who as a 2:1 is better than you and all the bloody rest

MrsFio · 23/08/2006 16:00

sorry i didnt run off quick enough, i started waffling and I didnt mean you martianbishop, i only read the first bit and saw red

Blandmum · 23/08/2006 16:01

the thing is tho Fio, I don't think the 22 year old with a 2:1 is 'better'. I think it is a massive mistake to undervalue the skill involved in vocational studies. I don't undervalue them, the bloody governmant does.

ASAIAC vocationa dn academic are different and equal, and should be funded and respected in the same way

MrsFio · 23/08/2006 16:02

I dont think the 22 yr old with a 2:1 is better either, its bloody ignorant for people to think so, but it IS what happens

Blandmum · 23/08/2006 16:04

and it shouldn't. The NVQs were supposed to help to bridge this sort of thing, where people could get qualifications that recogned the value and knowledge that they had. Didmn't get funded or recognised, did it?

southeastastra · 23/08/2006 16:04

aren't modern apprenticeships quite hard to come by now though? my dad (a carpenter) and my mum (then a seamstress) both went to technical college from quite a young age (in the 40s!) he was taught to a very high standard and got a great job.

my cousin wanting to be a carpenter too really struggled to find someone to take him on and is now working for a kitchen fitter so only learns a limited amount of the trade.

Blandmum · 23/08/2006 16:06

Yes they are hard to come by, and again this is (to my mind) a better use for educational money than pouring it into some degree courses (eg pet grooming)

Blandmum · 23/08/2006 16:09

I wouldn't have an issue with increasing numbers of students entering tertiary education. What I just don't get is why the only thing that seems to be values by the government (and thus funded) is the degree course. Why not expand the modern apperentiship schemes, run them in parallel with collage courses on relevant topic, like book keeping, marketing skills, managemnt etc etc. That way we could develop a new generation of highly trained trades people.

southeastastra · 23/08/2006 16:10

you really don't like the pet grooming one do you? where can you do it? (intrigued). can't you also do one in pop music (bizarre).

fio i know how you feel! i work with students, alot of them are doing psychology (don't know what that appeal is), yet i have spent a year trying to find an NVQ3 course.

MrsFio · 23/08/2006 16:11

Theother thing aswell, I work in the retail industry atm (dont want to stay there) and they have this 'rule' these days where as by they dont employ any member of staff above 16 hours. They get out of paying tax, NI, training courses etc and also they miss out on the next generation of managers. This may just be the case where I work....but I found it just awful

MrsFio · 23/08/2006 16:13

Many inustries are treating staff like comodities in all honesty. It makes me really angry take me back to my labour party marching daysstanding on the picket lines with a burining bin and dirty face

Blandmum · 23/08/2006 16:14

I'll say up front there is nothing intrisicaly wrong with pet grooming.....shhh don't tell anyone but I have even used their services when my old cat got too old to look after her fur!

I just don't see how it can be a part of a degree course, that is all. I can't see people discussing the history of the electric clipper, or the relative merits of diffeent poodle cuts. It is a fine thing to do, I'm sure people do it and get a great deal of satisfaction. I don't see how having a degree in it will make you better than having a years training, that is all.

TBH it is probably just part of a degree course. But the local university to me was advertising a lectureship in pet grooming.

MrsFio · 23/08/2006 16:16

One of my older customers is a dog groomer and she is retired

Blandmum · 23/08/2006 16:17

fio, youd' have loved my dad. He was a trades union leader and trust me you are preaching to the choir with me

He was in the clothing trade and used to tell some bloody grim tales

MrsFio · 23/08/2006 16:19
Smile
Blandmum · 23/08/2006 16:20

When he retired he was given the TUC gold badge. Theuy only give out two a year

a great man, my dad was

MrsFio · 23/08/2006 16:22

oh bless him We need more of your Dad!

UnquietDad · 23/08/2006 16:29

I think there a quite a few places offering pop music related subjects now. Often it's as part of a wider music or music business qualification.

If you fail a Pet Grooming degree, are you kicked out with a flea in your ear?