SUBJECT CHOICE IN THE SIXTH FORM: A CRITICAL REVIEW OF RESEARCH

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
This Article reviews in depth six major researches in the field of subject choice in the sixth form. It is repeatedly shown that whereas it has been tacitly assumed that most sixth‐formers were interested in studying three traditionally associated subjects either in arts or science this may be a fallacy. Whilst several studies revealed that, if able to make a ‘free’ choice (especially with regard to a fourth subject) unconstrained by consideration of ‘A’ level requirements, substantial numbers of both predominantly arts and science students would opt for a mixed ability arts/science combination, there are a number of critical considerations which suggest that these results should not always be taken at their face value. Moreover, despite the fact that they covered a wide spectrum of school types and several age ranges (fifth‐ and sixth‐formers), in no study could the results refute the hypothesis that the most able sixth‐formers are one‐sided in their subject interests.

This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit: