The English Examining Boards: Their route from independence to government outsourcing agencies

251

process of the reform rather than a detailed consideration of the AS∕A2 structure,
except where specific issues around the changes to the qualifications illustrate the
source of control.

1 Redesigning a Qualification: Amateurs instructing professionals

Despite these being the first real changes to A levels since their creation in 1947, there
is no document to cite which explains the changes embodied in Curriculum 2000. The
proposed new structure was outlined in the consultation document Qualifying for
Success circulated by the Department for Education and Employment following the
New Labour 1997 election victory. The purpose of the consultation was made clear in
the introduction:

This consultation seeks views on how to implement our manifesto commitment
for qualifications - to broaden A levels and upgrade vocational qualifications,
underpinning them with rigorous standards and Key Skills. It also seeks views
on whether and how to move towards an overarching certificate to recognise
achievement across these qualifications. It aims to build on the
recommendations in the Dearing Review of Qualifications for 16-19 Year Olds,
published in March 1996.

(DfEE 1997b: 3)

There was some concern amongst advocates of qualification reform when this
document indicated “a considerable reduction of [Labour’s] objectives [as] outlined
in its pre-election Aiming Higher.” The proposed changes "had not gone far enough
in a unified direction, did not promote accessibility to advanced level and remained
voluntarisf^, (Hodgson 2003). However, the consultation proceeded and the results
were announced in spring 1998 - confirming that A levels would move to a two-tier,
fully modular structure. The lower 6^th or year 12 would comprise four or five subjects
comprising three Advanced Supplementary (AS) modules which could be used as a
stand-alone qualification. The upper 6^th or year 13 (A2) would build on three of those
subjects through three further modules, resulting in one overall grade for each subject

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