§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what assessment she has made of whether the new AVCE engineering course has been introduced as intended; and if she will make a statement on the opportunity the course gives students to achieve grades that will enable them to follow their chosen career paths; [54543]
(2) what action she is taking to ensure that students undertaking the AVCE engineering course will attain grades appropriate to their achievement in their course of study; [54544]
(3) what discussions she has had with the Chief Inspector on the examination of the AVCE course in engineering; [54545]
(4) what action she has taken to ensure high quality assessment of students undertaking the AVCE course; [54546]
(5) what discussions she has had with further education colleges on the AVCE engineering course examinations assessment; [54547]
488W(6) what action she is taking to ensure that examination boards for the AVCE course in engineering are able to evaluate the course content that students have studied. [54548]
§ Margaret HodgeThe Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is monitoring all new AVCE qualifications, including engineering, as part of its remit to review the performance of the awarding bodies in delivering qualifications. AVCE courses give students suitable opportunities to achieve grades to enable them to follow their chosen career paths, including progression to employment, higher education or further training such as modern apprenticeships.
QCA's work in monitoring the work of awarding bodies includes ensuring that qualifications are suitable for purpose and that students have the opportunity to achieve grades which reflect their achievement.
The Secretary of State has not had discussions with the Chief Inspector on the subject in question. However, Ofsted Inspectors have programme of visits and inspections of schools and colleges to enable them to inspect standards. QCA held a two-day conference for awarding body chief examiners in November 2001.
AVCE qualifications have been designed to ensure that they are fully comparable with GCE A levels. QCA is charged with the task of maintaining standards of assessment and ensuring that it is consistent across all awarding bodies.
QCA and departmental officials have visited FE colleges to discuss the AVCE engineering course assessment.
Awarding bodies provide training and guidance to examiners on assessment. QCA is working with the awarding bodies to ensure that this training and guidance is appropriate and effective and that assessment gives a fair appraisal of students' achievement.