Assessed coursework for GCSE -- do parents cheat?

[Deadworm]

DS1 handed in an essay last week which will count towards his final GCSE result for English.

It just occured to me that some parents might check their children's assessed work and correct errors or suggest improvements. Does anyone do that?

Are you a teacher Rylzak?

Blimey Rylzak - I don't know what planet you are on, but that's not what happens in our house, and I rather resent the fact you are calling me - and every other parent on this threa - a liar.
Ds did his GCSEs this Summer just gone, and didn't get a single A*, because he felt it was OK to 'cruise' through and get what he could without putting too much effort in. He's done OK - he's a fairly bright lad, but not hugely interested in the academic side of life. I did my O-levels many years ago, I'm certainly not about to start writing them again with each of my dcs. I'll offer to help them plan their time, and I would test them if they want me to, but there's no way in the world I'd write an essay / assessed piece of work for them, and nor would anyone I know!

One of my DSs did English GCSE 18months ago and I wrote all his English lit CAs for him because the teacher had forcasted him a fail grade.he got an A overall with my help, so would probably have scraped through anyway.

Look at this other thread on Mumsnet./

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/a1412038-To-hate-controlled-assessments

Whether you like it or not, it is easy to abuse the controlled assessment system as long as you have a good memory. Anyone can write your essay for you. You just regurgitate it. There are lots of sites on line where you can buy someone's time to write an essay. Unethical? Of course it is but it is what happens. This is why the controlled assessment for lit. with a "seen" text is no true test of a child's ability unless it can be guaranteed that neither teachers nor parents are helping the child to cheat. But, according to this site and to other sites, cheating happens. Teachers and schools do it because they feel pressured by league tables and parents do it because they want their children to "succeed" (and part of that is the belief of many that a university education is likely to be the best spring board for success).

The only way to limit cheating is to have only unseen questions on one or two texts out of perhaps a minimum of 8 texts taught over the two year GCSE period. In this way, the children would need to revise them all to have any chance of success. After that, the exam would sort out those with true ability for analysing a literary text from those who could do it less well and from those who could not do it well at all.

Zombie? What does that mean? I am a person with a point of view describing and explaining the behaviours I observe, the behaviours others report and the behaviours which may reasonably be inferred from those observed and reported behaviours.

I regard myself as a supportive parent and I have never contemplated for a moment the kind of actions you are describing Rylzak. I am genuinely shocked.

ds1's school do all CAs by the letter of the law: limited notes allowed, under exam/timed conditions. He's done CAs for English lang, English lit, Citizenship, MFL, History and IT GCSE. There are also internal assessments (called ISAs) for Science too.

My son is on track for excellent GCSE grades, but even if he slips a grade on a subject or two; I would much rather he did it from his own efforts than by cheating.

This is what I mean:

Oldpeculiar 'fesses up

"One of my DSs did English GCSE 18months ago and I wrote all his English lit CAs for him because the teacher had forcasted him a fail grade.he got an A overall with my help, so would probably have scraped through anyway."

BackforGood - I believe you. However, I suspect strongly that you and your friends may well be the honest tip of a very dodgy iceberg.

Anyway, I think Mr Gove probably would agree with me. I predict a return to 100% unseen papers.

incogneetow - I believe you. However, I still believe parental help to the point of cheating is widespread. Controlled assessment is an attempt to prevent the cheating that goes on when coursework done at home counts toward the final grade. However, it fails to achieve its aim. You are no doubt an honourable and ethical person because you say: "even if he slips a grade on a subject or two; I would much rather he did it from his own efforts than by cheating". Other parents think it is unethical to jeopardise their children's future prospects and will use any means possible to ensure success (or even just the appearance of success) if that gets their children on to the next rung.

I may sound hideously cynical to you, but I am afraid that I beleive my views reflect reality.