Tutors International, global provider of full-time private tutors, today announced their support of Michael Gove’s changes to GCSE and A-Level exam structure, citing it as a “bold move to fix a bad situation” but question what more should be done.
Tutors International, the leading global provider of full-time private tutoring, today announced their support of UK Education Minister, Michael Gove’s bold changes to the country’s exam structure, and the move away from modular exams and back towards the old O-Level style Summer examination.
There will be a new grading system for Maths and English GCSEs, with a more rigorous course content. Mr Gove said of his curriculum changes:
“I have prioritised English and mathematics because they are both fundamental to facilitating learning in other subjects, and yet PISA evidence demonstrates that 15-year-olds in 9 other countries are, on average, at least half a year ahead of students in England in both reading and mathematics. Reform of these key subjects is, therefore, a matter of pressing urgency.”
Adam Caller, who founded the tuition organisation in 1999, commented, “I know teachers are unhappy about the changes. They are caring people who want the best for their pupils, but this is an important and bold move to fix a very bad situation in our country’s level of education.”
He compares the ground-shifting change in 1986 from O-Levels to GCSEs with the current feeling amongst teachers. “There was distrust and complaints then about making the exams modular and easier for students – now there are complaints about it going back again. Lower grades for students will make it harder on teachers, but the new grading system and tougher exams will put us back in the running in the global knowledge economy.”
Some specific moves by Gove, such as having 20% of the marks in the English language GCSE awarded for accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar was met with some frustration by Mr Caller: “So pupils could spell 80% of words incorrectly – 80%! – and still pass the English Language GCSE.“
About Tutors International
Tutors International is a worldwide organization providing experienced full-time private tutors to work with children of all ages and nationalities, in a wide variety of situations, including international relocation, after-school support, full-time home tuition, support for AD/HD and dyslexia, home schooling for frequent travellers, and college prep and coaching.
Tutors International was founded by Adam Caller who has tutored students of all ages. He has received specialist training in dyslexia and AD/HD and is very sensitive to children's educational difficulties. He has now turned this expertise to recruiting, training and placing other tutors with HNW and UHNW families around the world. Adam is a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA).
