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We seem to be reversing the trend rather, over here. Kids are arriving in uni with a very broad but disconnected knowledge base and very little experience in detailed study. Where the big jump used to happen between o-level (gcse) and a-level, and a-level was very much the preparation for Uni; now the big jump seems to be between a-level and degree, and the gcse's are a prep for a-level. The first year of the degree often has to sweep up a lot of stuff they wuold once have learned in a-level. Not so much in terms of content, but rather study-skills and learning approaches.
I was talking to one lass who had come straight through sixth form into uni; and in two years of doing her a-levels she had to visit the library once. Anything theyhad to read that wasn't in thge coursebook was provided for them in photocopy form. She at no point had to learn to use an index effectively. At no point was she expected to find information. What a crippling disadvantage to give a kid who is intent on doing a Humanties degree.
The longest essay she'd had to write was two sides of an a4 sheet. Not much effort seemed to have been put into linking the different topics and periods covered in her History a-level. I recall the a-level I did in history very much did. But that was a long time ago. The system's changed completely now.
They've messed about with the a-level that much it's tacitly recognised by all concerned that it is no longer either a preparation for degree, or a worthwhile method of deciding capabilities for entrance to university. So...they tagged on an A* grade. If you want to get into a good uni, an A is no lomger enough *smiles* now you need an A*. Now they're shifting away completely and trying to move to a bacheloriate (sp?).
They've fixed the fuck out of A-levels, let's see how well they can fix the rest.
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