A-levels and the sale of essays

[violetblue]

Did anyone else think it was a bit rotten of the news programmes yesterday to do a piece on the sale of essays on the Internet? I just feel that, whatever your opinions on whether A-levels have got easier or not, the students who got their results yesterday could have at least been allowed a day or two to enjoy them. Most will have got them through appropriate means, and they are not to blame for the content of their courses. The story about the sale of essays, and plagiarism, is ongoing and could have been done at any time in the year. What do you think? Sensible answers only, please.

[WaldoMcFroog]

That's pretty fair, I'd say.

The media has a big blank spot in the summer and A Level results fills it quite nicely. It does mean there's a bit spotlight on exams at this time of year, so you can understand the timing of their programme, but you're right it's an ongoing problem.

Have you ever wondered why no boys ever pass A levels? The only pictures you ever see in the press are of pretty girls. Lazy, hackneyed journalism...

[Monster-S]

Before i had computers at school and im 33 we had to work it out in our heads, these exams are so easy these days they make the kids thick im sure of it.
When you go into alot of shops and theres a spotty teenager he/she about 90% of the time cant add up without the till and even then im always getting the wrong change.

[chazza]

I feel sorry for the students who have worked hard to pass their exams and then get told that they are easy and that anyone could do them.

They can't win really.

[violetblue]

I agree with some of what you say about literacy and numeracy levels, but kids aren't to blame for the design of courses or exams. My question was really about the timing of the article pouring cold water on the achievements of those who have worked hard.

[Monster-S]

Ok to be fair lets see one of the hard questions?

[noxlumos]

I agree, they needn't have done it along side the A level results and it's not helpful all of us oldies saying how easy A levels are ( although they are). People have always cheated and always will so it's nothing new, no news at all. As waldo says just hackneyed journalism, so enjoy your results and well done all you A levellers.

[violetblue]

Monster, when i see some A-level questions, I think, God, they must be getting easier, but then I have the benefit of 20-odd years on most of the people sitting them, so they should seem easier to me, shouldn't they? I think the kids should be allowed to enjoy their success.

[dayoff]

may be its like the old teachers who would say that you were the worse class they ever had its just a thing thats done at the end of the day the kids have there levels and will never realy use the things they learned again

[claireyfairy]

The people (it's not all kids remember) that have got their A-Levels this year, as with any other year will have worked damn hard to get the results. I know my sister has been staying up late and spending every spare minute for the past htree months studying and revising for her exams and it paid off and I am so proud of her. It's about time all these poncy journos congratulated these individulas instead of making out that they are all a group of thicko cheaters!!!

[Quinlad]

Does it even really matter if kids use underhand means to get their grades? Bear with me on this...

Let's say one child studies fanatically for two years and gets an A.

That grade reflects his ability to research, collate and apply information in a cogent way. As a result, he is given a job. Asked by his boss to compile a report on, say, farming in Europe, he'll be able to go away and come back with what his boss asked for.

Then let's say another child plagiarises his coursework and also gets an A.

That grade reflects his ability to take short cuts and get away with it. As a result, he is given a job. Asked by his boss to compile the same report, he'll go away, not bother with research and probably cut and paste from the internet, before giving his boss what he asked for.

Either way, the boss gets what he asked for - so you could argue the grade reflects the ability to complete the task. It makes no difference if one 'cheated' and the other worked hard.

Or is that utter horsesh*t?