Measuring Educational Achievement

Question 1

What does Educational Achievement refer to?

Answer 1

The qualifications achieved at the end of Formal Education (e.g. GCSE’s, degrees, A-levels, diploma’s, doctorates, certificates)

Question 2

Define Differential Educational Achievement.

Answer 2

The differing levels of Educational Success individuals might achieve within the education system, when studied across different social groupings

Question 3

What are Internal Factors in the context of educational achievement?

Answer 3

Factors inside of school which impact a student’s educational achievement

Question 4

What are External Factors in the context of educational achievement?

Answer 4

Factors outside of school which impact a student’s educational achievement

Question 5

What are Official Statistics?

Answer 5

Data that is collected and published by government or government agencies

Question 6

How was educational achievement measured before 2017?

Answer 6

Before 2017, educational achievement was measured by the number of GCSEs a student passed with grades A star-C, and whether they achieved A star-C grades specifically in English and Maths.

Question 7

What measurement replaced the previous method for educational achievement after 2017?

Answer 7

The number of 5 – 9 grades a student achieved, including English and Maths

Question 8

What is Attainment 8?

Answer 8

A measure of a student’s average grade across eight subjects, introduced in 2016

Question 9

What subjects are included in the Attainment 8 measurement?

Answer 9

The eight subjects fit into three groups:
* English and maths (double-weighted)
* English Baccalaureate (Ebacc)
* Open group (remaining GCSEs and other approved qualifications)

Question 10

How is a student’s Attainment 8 score calculated?

Answer 10

By adding up their points for their top eight subjects and dividing by 10

Question 11

What does University Acceptances data from UCAS show?

Answer 11

It looks at the different social groups to see differences in acceptance of places at university

Question 12

What are some issues with using measures of educational achievement?

Answer 12

Issues include:
* Open to manipulation by Schools and the Government
* Attainment 8 unfairly disadvantages those with SENd
* Middle and upper class students more likely to attend private schools not included in official statistics

Question 13

Fill in the blank: The educational achievement of students is influenced by both _______ and _______ factors.

Answer 13

Internal, External

Question 14

True or False: Attainment 8 includes only academic subjects.

Answer 14

False