Journalism staff slated lowering of standards

Article Abstract:

Over 50% of the former teaching staff at the journalism department of Liverpool John Moore University (LJMU) were critical of "a general eagerness to avoid failing any student" during the time they worked there, according to documents submitted to a recent employment tribunal. Richard Rudin, a lecturer at the university who still works there, stated in a witness statement to the tribunal that journalism was a money-making "milch cow" for the university. Rudin went on to criticise the keenness of former department head Dick Rooney to pass everything and everyone - even those who obviously failed to meet the required standards. The documents had been submitted in support of a recent successful unfair dismissal claim against LJMU brought by former senior journalism lecturer Des Smith.

Legal/Government Regulation, Cases, Educational aspects, Journalism and education, Journalism education, Smith, Des, Liverpool John Moore University

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'Trust' means fewer checks

Article Abstract:

The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), higher education's quality watchdog, will cut the number of inspections carried out every year to as few as year, from several hundred, as it enters a new phase of its light touch audit regime. The reduction in quality assurance reviews comes after the QAA established 'trust' with UK universities and the QAA will diversify to offer consultancy and other services.

Education, Higher, Higher education

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Mark-up of 14% gave 'fails' a pass

Article Abstract:

The story of how De Montfort University raised exam results of failing students, despite opposition from lecturers and external examiners, can be revealed by The Times Higher. Internal documents show that the move allowed failing students to move onto the next year without resits and lowered the pass rate on one module to 26 percent.

All Other Publishers, Book publishing, Educational Tests, Examinations, Educational tests and measurements

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