What Is Controlled Assessment In The New GCSE Curriculum?

What is controlled assessment?

Controlled assessment is replacing coursework from September 2009 for GCSEs. This has been introduced by the QCA to address some of the issues raised in coursework reviews, such as plagiarism, teacher assistance, and parental intervention.

What are the benefits of controlled assessment?

The benefits of controlled assessment include more straightforward marking - for most subjects learners are provided with worksheets to submit their work on - and improved reliability and validity.

There will also be varying levels of control - teachers will know at the start of the course what is required to help them manage the assessments and their time more easily. Greater confidence in authenticating learners' work as their own and greater ease in fitting assessments into normal teaching programmes are also seen as benefits.

How will it be introduced?

Controlled assessment is embedded in the specifications and will be introduced when the specifications become available for teaching in September 2009.

How will it affect teachers' workload?

Whether staff will see any differences in workload, will depend on what they have experienced previously.

With the introduction of a new qualification and a new model of assessment, it is possible that some additional work is required in the first occurrence of controlled assessment until they get used to the new way of working.

However, most examination boards will be providing support throughout the transition process.

Will it affect timetabling and curriculum planning?

This will vary from centre to centre. For example, if the school is retaining a linear model then all they need to do is to ensure that the learners have completed all units by the end of the course. Following a unitised approach can allow a more flexible approach to assessment, so teachers can structure the learning programme to suit their students.

Who will set the tasks of the controlled assessment and will teachers still need to mark it?

It varies from subject to subject. For some, such as business studies GCSE, the examination board will set the tasks and context. Centres can "contextualise" all tasks - i.e. adapt them to suit their own resources and local facilities - so there is always a small degree of flexibility, even for tasks set by the examination boards.

For others, centres can choose from a series of contexts in which to address a number of pre-set tasks. Task-marking is typically done by the school's centre assessor, using the examination boards marking grids and guidance, and then the examination board moderates them.

How long do schools need to keep the controlled assessment for?

This will be governed by the awarding bodies' Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) regulations when they are published. It is expected that learners' work will need to be kept until all possible post-result services have been exhausted. For details, see http://www.jcq.org.uk

When can controlled assessment start?

Controlled assessment can start in year 9, 10 or 11. However, it is important that the school ensures the correct controlled assessment task is given. The examination boards recommend schools check the full specification details for the qualifications they will be teaching before planning assessment schedules. The start dates can depend on the specific subject and how the teacher chooses to structure the course.

For instance, with design and technology (DT), the first opportunity to enter candidates for controlled assessment is for the January 2010 session and thereafter January and June of each year. It is for centres to decide when they enter candidates. For DT, controlled assessment is in unit 1 and again in unit 3 and these would normally be taken in year 10 for unit 1 and year 11 for unit 3, but the choice is up to the teacher. If schools are delivering the course in a linear fashion then all controlled assessments are at the end of year 11.

Can schools continue to teach a short course over two years?

Yes, but they will need to be familiar with the rules regarding those subjects with 25 per cent controlled assessment. Controlled assessment can only take place for the year that the awarding body sets the tasks and the tasks cannot be carried over to a second year.

Can schools submit learners for exams in any exam session now?

Yes, but they will need to be aware of the QCA's 40 per cent terminal assessment rule (40 per cent of assessment has to take place at the end of the course), which is detailed in the specification.

If learners are entered for re-sits, which marks are considered?

Learners can re-sit each unit once and can count the highest mark.