A critical analysis of Ofsted judgements of the quality of secondary mathematics initial teacher education courses
A critical analysis of Ofsted judgements of the quality of secondary mathematics initial teacher education courses
The quality of initial teacher education courses has been the subject of adverse comment and media speculation for some time. During 1996/7, OFSTED began a comprehensive round of inspections of secondary initial teacher education providers using an extensive framework of inspection. This paper reports the results of the first round of inspection of secondary mathematics PGCE providers. Almost three-quarters were judged to be good or better. In examining the inspection reports from a critical perspective, this paper focuses on the level of consistency in the judgements made in the published inspection reports. The analysis demonstrates that there is considerable variation in the reports, in terms of word length, how particular criteria seem to be applied, and how judgements are expressed. With the complexity of the framework for inspection, it is impossible, given the current model of inspection report, to properly distinguish between consistency of application and the loading given to any particular criterion. Attention to the transparency of the inspection process is crucial if there is to be confidence in the inspection system.
education, research, educational research, Ofsted, inspection, initial teacher education, initial teacher training, ITE, ITT, mathematics, PGCE
79-93
Jones, Keith
ea790452-883e-419b-87c1-cffad17f868f
Sinkinson, Anne
9452ffa7-4ff0-4d24-8c74-58268757ee70
2000
Jones, Keith
ea790452-883e-419b-87c1-cffad17f868f
Sinkinson, Anne
9452ffa7-4ff0-4d24-8c74-58268757ee70
Jones, Keith and Sinkinson, Anne
(2000)
A critical analysis of Ofsted judgements of the quality of secondary mathematics initial teacher education courses.
Evaluation and Research in Education, 14 (2), .
(doi:10.1080/09500790008666964).
Abstract
The quality of initial teacher education courses has been the subject of adverse comment and media speculation for some time. During 1996/7, OFSTED began a comprehensive round of inspections of secondary initial teacher education providers using an extensive framework of inspection. This paper reports the results of the first round of inspection of secondary mathematics PGCE providers. Almost three-quarters were judged to be good or better. In examining the inspection reports from a critical perspective, this paper focuses on the level of consistency in the judgements made in the published inspection reports. The analysis demonstrates that there is considerable variation in the reports, in terms of word length, how particular criteria seem to be applied, and how judgements are expressed. With the complexity of the framework for inspection, it is impossible, given the current model of inspection report, to properly distinguish between consistency of application and the loading given to any particular criterion. Attention to the transparency of the inspection process is crucial if there is to be confidence in the inspection system.
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Published date: 2000
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Keywords:
education, research, educational research, Ofsted, inspection, initial teacher education, initial teacher training, ITE, ITT, mathematics, PGCE
Organisations:
Mathematics, Science & Health Education
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 41244
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/41244
ISSN: 0950-0790
PURE UUID: cb970274-5c05-4383-ae2f-3165cdfa74c1
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Date deposited: 10 Aug 2006
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 08:25
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Author:
Anne Sinkinson
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