Still, anything to help a good rant.

The report: Findings from the monitoring of the new GCSE science specifications: 2007 to 2008 (March 2009) can be found on the http://www.ofqual.gov.uk website.

When we looked at the GCSE science qualifications in 2009, we found that they were not at the right standard for GCSEs. They did not adequately test the subject content and were not demanding enough.

http://www.ofqual.gov.uk/help-and-support/94-articles/907-frequently-asked-questions-about-gcse-sciences-and-new-syllabuses-in-2012

My own experience as someone who began teaching Maths in the early seventies and has taught A-level Maths and Biology recently to members of my family, leads me to two firm conclusions:

1) There has been significant grade inflation in the last thirty years.
2) There has also been a significant increase in the standards attained by the average student at 16 and 18.

If I were asked to explain the way in which the pass rate has increased, I would attribute about half to inflation, and half to the improvement in our schools. From the above article it seems that Henry Stewart and Fiona Millar suspect that not only is all the increase in pass rates due to better teaching, but that it is possible that the increase underestimates the improvements that have taken place. I suspect that Michael Gove, and perhaps FJ Murphy, believe the opposite, that not only has all the increase in pass rate been caused by inflation, but that this inflation has masked a real decline in educational attainment.

I wonder how other people with experience in schools would apportion the rise in pass rates between inflation and improvement?

“From September 2007 the RSC repeatedly drew national attention to the need for reform, asserting that the future economic competitiveness of the UK was being undermined by slipping standards in education.”

But the evidence of “slipping standards” is not proven. The RSC must be aware of the Trends in Maths and Science Survey 2007 which placed English students at the top of the European league in Maths and Science at age 10 and 14. It must also be aware that in PISA 2009 UK students scored above the OECD average in Science. On this evidence, the competitiveness of UK students stands up well.

F J Murphy also links to the Institute of Physics which actually says:

“The Institute of Physics says it is too early to pass judgement on the new [GCSE] syllabus. The institute aims to encourage more pupils to study the subject at A-level.”

This aim of increasing the number of students studying physics has been realised thanks to what is called the “Cox effect” – the excellent TV programmes by Professor Brian Cox.

http://www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/news/physics-a-level-entrants-rise-dramatically

This thread is about grade inflation. Its not a forum for you to rant about your past as a science teacher. Go away. You’re not a great example of a noble profession either. Thank God you never taught my children. They would have learnt only how much you relish failure.