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AS and A level Economics A 2015 Launch event

AS and A level Economics A 2015 Launch event. Agenda. The changes Our approach Our new specification Assessment Support. The changes. AS and A level qualifications. For Economics from 2015: AS will be a separate, linear qualification

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AS and A level Economics A 2015 Launch event

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  1. AS and A levelEconomics A2015Launch event

  2. Agenda • The changes • Our approach • Our new specification • Assessment • Support

  3. The changes

  4. AS and A level qualifications For Economics from 2015: • AS will be a separate, linear qualification • An AS grade will not contribute to an overall A level grade • The content of the AS is a subset of the A level so you can co-teach • A student can sit AS and then go on to do A level but will be assessed on all content at A level

  5. Subject criteria Changes for 2015: • The labour market and the financial sector included in core A level content • Core AS content defined • Greater emphasis on the application of appropriate quantitative skills in economics • Assessment of quantitative skills to represent a minimum of 20% of marks (15% for AS)

  6. Quantitative skills

  7. Our approach

  8. Our research • Teachersfrom a range of schools and colleges – in focus groups, surveys, phone interviews and face-to-face conversations – have provided feedback at each stage. • Academics in UK universities have helped us understand how to build on the strengths of the current specifications and advised on how progression to undergraduate study could be improved. • We have commissioned and conducted our own research projects, including international benchmarking to identify areas of good practice.

  9. Our findings You told us that students should: • Develop the ability to think like an economist • Apply economic concepts and theories to real-world contexts • Engage with current economic issues • Apply the appropriate quantitative skills to relevant economic contexts • Engage with economics through wider reading and research

  10. Our suite We have a suite of qualifications for Economics and Business: • Two Economics and one Business specifications • Developed with and supported by subject experts, including teachers, our experienced examining teams and HE representatives • A coherent approach to provide clarity for planning, teaching and assessment • Extensive and consistent support for planning and delivering the new courses

  11. Our new specification

  12. Design and content principles • Clear and coherent specification structure • Historical context and debate • Reflect today’s global economy • Reflect developments in economics • Real world focus • Skills for progression

  13. A level at a glance Four themes assessed through three externally examined papers:

  14. AS at a glance Two themes assessed through two externally examined papers:

  15. Co-teaching AS and A level Theme 1 and Theme 2 is the same content for the AS and A level qualification… …so even though they are separate qualifications you can co-teach them.

  16. Key content changes

  17. Content overview: Theme 1 and Theme 2

  18. Content overview: Theme 3 and Theme 4

  19. Assessment

  20. Assessment objectives

  21. Assessment principles • A defined taxonomy to provide clarity and consistency across assessments and between series • Application of quantitative skills to economic contexts • Levels based mark schemes that: • focus on the skills students are required to demonstrate • provide a consistent understanding of the skills and connections between these skills for each question type • relate directly to the command words/taxonomy • demonstrate progression between bands • do not rely on subjective statements

  22. A level assessment

  23. A level sample assessment: Paper 1 and Paper 2 • Section A comprises multiple choice and short answer questions • There are five questions worth 25 marks • Examples of short answer questions: • calculate • draw/illustrate • explain

  24. A level sample assessment: Paper 1 and Paper 2 Section C Evaluate/ To what extent 25 x 1 Section B Discuss 12 or 15 x 1 Assess 10 x 1 Examine 8 x 1 Calculate/explain 5 x 1

  25. A level sample assessment: Paper 3 Evaluate/ To what extent Section A and Section B 25 x 2 Discuss 12 x 2 Examine 8 x 2 Explain 5 x 2

  26. AS assessment

  27. AS sample assessment: Paper 1 and Paper 2 • Section A comprises multiple choice and short answer questions • There are five questions worth 20 marks • Examples of short answer questions: • define • calculate • draw/illustrate • explain

  28. AS sample assessment: Paper 1 and Paper 2 Evaluate/ To what extent Section B 20 x 1 Discuss 15 x 1 Assess 10 x 1 Calculate/explain 4, 5 or 6 x 3

  29. Key assessment changes • A reduction in the variety of command words used and a consistent application of command words across assessments and between series • Skills based mark schemes • Introduction of short answer questions comprising multiple choice and short answer elements • Choice of open extended response questions

  30. Support

  31. Planning and delivery We will provide you with: • A comprehensive Getting Started guide, with detailed guidance on the specification and assessment • A course planner, outlining different delivery approaches • An editable scheme of work • Mapping documents to highlight the differences between the 2008 and 2015 specifications • Teaching resources – including support for new areas of the specification – and student guide

  32. Understanding the standard We will provide you with information and support to help you understand the standard: • Exemplar student work and examiner commentaries generated from work with A level students and centres • Mark schemes developed through research and trialling

  33. Tracking progress Extra assessment materials for A level for use in formative assessments and mocks. Our ResultsPlus service provides the most detailed analysis available of your students’ exam performance: • Identify topics and skills where students could benefit from further learning • Mock Analysis provides analysis of past exam papers which can be set as mock exams www.edexcel.com/resultsplus

  34. Training from Pearson Events in a timely manner to help you prepare to teach the new specification: • Online launch videos to share with your departments • Getting ready to teach events in spring 2015

  35. Subject advisor support Colin Leith and his team will keep you up to date about: • training events and support materials • news and government announcements affecting our qualifications • key dates and entry deadlines • new qualifications and resources E-mail: TeachingEconomics@pearson.com Phone: 0844 372 2187 Twitter: twitter.com/PearsonEconBus Subject page: www.edexcel.com/economics

  36. Questions?

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