![Sample our Education journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5932/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Education.jpg"})
Abstract
The introduction of practical assessment through the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) syllabuses formed the focus for a questionnaire sent to a national sample of schools in England and Wales. This paper forms the second report of the findings. It concentrates on how this component of the examination has been incorporated into the science curriculum and resultant changes in pedagogic practice. Information is presented about changes that have occurred in content of the science curriculum, throughout the secondary age range, as schools prepare pupils for assessment of their practical abilities. The reliability and validity of the procedures are examined, including the mechanisms by which schools ensure comparability of both tasks used and judgements made. The formative function of assessment is also considered as integration with teaching is investigated.