Business & Social Studies

The context of this research is based on the European reference framework, which presented ‘Entrepreneurship and a sense of initiative’ as one of eight key competences for lifelong learning that citizens require in a knowledge-based society. The key competence ‘sense of initiative and entrepreneurship’ is defined as “an individual’s ability to turn ideas into action. It includes creativity, innovation and risk-taking, as well as the ability to plan and manage projects in order to achieve objectives” (EU, 2013, p.8). These European developments and initiatives contribute to the growing evidence of the need for individually based entrepreneurial learning and for more entrepreneurship educators. “Teachers are key actors”, (EU, 2015, p.89). Duening (2010) has attempted to develop the five minds of the future specifically to the five minds of the entrepreneurial future. However, realising that there is a difference between the cognitive thinking process for an entrepreneur and for a non ...

This study assesses the extent and pattern of change in the distribution of grades in the Irish Leaving Certificate examination between 1992, when the current grading system was introduced, and 2006. It also evaluates whether grade increases are likely to have arisen as a result of improved scholastic achievement or as a result of grade inflation.

The paper is a case study of grading disparity in higher education -variation in the grades awarded for similar academic effort across examiners, disciplines and institutions -based on the first cohort of graduates from the ab initio BSc in nursing courses launched in 2002.

Grade Inflation occurs when there is an upward trend over a period of time in examination grades awarded in the absence of a matching improvement in learning or achievement. This paper explores the causes of the grade inflationary trend in Irish higher education that has been described by Guilfoyle, 2007a, 2007b. Three sets of influences and policy choices that drive the grade inflation process are suggested: the impact of social and economic changes, institutional choices about educational policies and the operation of the educational awards process.

Grade Inflation occurs when there is an upward trend over a period of time in grades awarded to successive cohorts of students taking a given examination or set of examinations in the absence of a matching improvement in learning or achievement. This paper explores the consequences of this phenomenon that afflicts modern education.