Minister for Education tackling concerns on grade inflation - Margaret Conlon TD
Posted on 05/03/10 by Margaret Conlon
Last year, a number of well respected voices in the employer community expressed their concerns to the Government about graduate quality and the issue of grade inflation at third level and at Leaving Certificate level. It is hugely important for education to work in partnership with industry and respond to its concerns. As a result, the Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe asked his officials to carry out a profile analysis of grades awarded in higher education institutions and in the Leaving Certificate exams. The approach adopted by the Minister for Education has been the correct one and this is clear from the support shown by Google Ireland this week.
There are many views as to whether grade inflation is a cause for concern. While some might argue that it shows a relaxation of standards and points to a decrease in quality in the system. On the other hand, it can also be argued that it indicates improvements in teaching, a more strategic approach to examinations, better motivated and better prepared students. Irish and international studies suggest that increased investment in teaching and learning, along with an enhanced focus on learning outcomes, has meant students are better prepared for exams. The issue of grade inflation is also an international phenomenon and is a common debate in universities across the world. For example, today's findings on grade inflation show very similar results to those found in the UK.
Alongside this, legislation is currently being drafted to set up a new qualifications and quality assurance agency that will merge HETAC, the Further Education and Training Awards Council, the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland and the Irish Universities Quality Board. Having a single body dealing with qualifications, external quality assurance and course approval in the further and higher education sectors fits well with the Government’s broader public sector reform agenda. It is expected that this new agency will be set up early next year. The Bill also provides that all institutions implement the recommendations of an external quality review and the new agency will be empowered to undertake reviews across all universities.
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Last year, a number of well respected voices in the employer community expressed their concerns to the Government about graduate quality and the issue of grade inflation at third level and at Leaving Certificate level.
">Share |Last year, a number of well respected voices in the employer community expressed their concerns to the Government about graduate quality and the issue of grade inflation at third level and at Leaving Certificate level.
">Last year, a number of well respected voices in the employer community expressed their concerns to the Government about graduate quality and the issue of grade inflation at third level and at Leaving Certificate level.
">Last year, a number of well respected voices in the employer community expressed their concerns to the Government about graduate quality and the issue of grade inflation at third level and at Leaving Certificate level.
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