More on Ebacc - research and counterarguments

I saw an article on the EBacc on the nightly news and am very disconcerted about how plans are going ahead for this shift in education policy.

Others have the same concern on our course and beyond.
http://www.baccforthefuture.com/the-facts.html

How will it change things in English education?

What is the EBacc?

"The EBacc (or English Baccalaureate, to give it the full name) is different in a number of ways from the current GCSE. The EBacc will involve new-style exams at the age of 16 in five “core” subjects: English, maths, a science, a foreign language, and one or other of history or geography. Those wanting to take subjects outside the EBacc core will continue to take GCSEs in them until new syllabuses are constructed.

In the autumn of 2015, instead of beginning their GCSE courses, as at present, at the age of 14, the government proposals mean that Year 10 students will start the new two-year EBacc courses. Or at least in some subjects. Syllabuses in English, maths and science will begin to be taught then, with those for foreign languages and humanities (history or geography) following a year later" (Cookson, T, 2012, online). 

Full reference
Cookson, T, 2012, online, London: Telegraph Media Group Limited.[Accessed 6/2/13], Available from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/secondaryeducation/9672897/What-is-the-EBacc-all-about.html


I also noted an article on the Independent about how this policy shift is affecting coursework by Garner.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/arts-already-being-squeezed-out-by-ebacc-8477916.html
and
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-14719986
and
http://www.teachers.org.uk/campaigns/ebacc

However - what are the cournterarguments?

The government's own website
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/qualifications/englishbac/a0075975/the-english-baccalaureate


THE RESEARCH THAT IS BEING USED TO REDRAW THE POLICY
https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/DFE-RR249
https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/DFE-RR249.pdf


Gove's own take on why change is needed
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/sep/17/gcse-ebacc-michael-gove

http://conservativehome.blogs.com/localgovernment/2013/01/michael-gove-is-right-about-a-level-and-ebacc-and-a-good-deal-more-the-select-committee-is-not.html

however further criticism and discussion...

blog with some evaluation/analysis
http://lauramcinerney.com/2012/07/12/reasons-for-ebacc-subjects-and-reasons-why-i-dont-agree/

Welsh government's response
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/welsh-reject-goves-ebacc-exam-reforms-8471908.html

and

http://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/cross-party-concerns-over-ebacc-reforms