Being a current TATC at the college this thread certainly makes for depressing reading and all the more because there isn't anything we can really do about it. The college has just failed a handful of TATC's from the basic course that in my opinion were by far adequately skilled to proceed onto the foundation course. Its the apparent random nature of the decision making that is most unsettling.

Surely the basis for pass or failure is results achieved, and examinations cover what is taught, and required to be known. From reading this thread I'm picking up the suggestion that this may not always be the basis, but my question is, how can it possibly be any other way? Sure I hear you, that what was once a requirement, air/gmc, in leaner times is not so, and yes this is unfair, but as far as the benchmark for passing exams, it is what it is right? Otherwise, it does sound very messy. :ugh:

This really is not a new occurrence by any manner of means. I remember going back to my days at college when a few folks on my original course never made it past Air/Ground. Shame really.
On the other hand there were a couple of female students (Just an observation, not trying to stir) who were failing courses time and time again (fact!) who seemed to be getting continually re-coursed. This caused massive disillusionment and ill-feeling towards both management and the students in question. Definately seen as one rule for one and one rule for another.
Strange how it always seemed like the guys who were getting chopped, no girlies. This sentiment was shared by the majority of my coursemates at the time. dont know if it still rings true today.

Come on college, sort yourself out eh??:ugh::ugh::ugh:

Spamcan

fact

One was a "girlie", one was a "boy-ie" so you can scratch that particular accusation for starters.

Fair enough, my memory is a bit foggy. I mean I AM going back to course 12X after all :O
Still, why should certain folks be chopped when others, who have failed the same amount of courses get a recourse. Not really portraying a good, unbiased image for the college is it????
This sort of thing does the rounds in rumour mills from course to course so it perpetuates whilst growing arms and legs. Hell, I was speaking to a trainee at the unit the other day who indirectly brought up the same story. Incredible!

Spamcan

'positive discrimination' as i think it is known, has been happening at the college for many, many years. There are more male controllers than females, and by re-coursing the female students over and over again seems to be the college's answer to it.

A while back on my course, which was the old style basic course, a male student finished their summatives with 6 partly's and a female student had 12 partly's and 4 Not Achieved's. They both failed....
Now, I understand 'its the comments that count'....but were the comments that different? I think you can guess which one got recoursed...and which one got booted! :ugh:

Even the instructors cant see how some students get recoursed over and over again.

Well at least the ex-Watch Manager from LACC is now at the college to ensure both sexes are treated fairly.:eek::eek:

Two women from my course got recoursed then chopped. Late 1990s so it can't all be sexist and unfair can it?

Oral Boards....
 

intherealworld: -

The reason so many failed the oral boards first time on foundation, is (IMHO) purely down to lack of preparation. By this i am NOT blaming the students - the redesign of the courses, together with a chronic lack of instructors has resulted in there being no practice oral boards, either on the basic course or on foundation.

Now i dont know how long practice boards have been part of the courses, and forgive me if i offend anyone who didnt have the benefit of an practice board at some point in the college, but i found the actual situation you are put in to be quite unnerving. When it came to my first assessed board, i was far better prepared - because i had been in that situation before. The last and the current foundation courses have not had the benefit (apart from some recoursee's) of a practice, and i feel this is reflected in the results, and may continue to be.

In a time when we need as many TATC's passing through the college as possibe (or so we are told) surely something as straightforwards as this really ought to be corrected.

Discuss!

its not just at the college where some instances could be viewed as positive discrimination. people have got chopped from several units and been found a new place to have a go at. when some people i know have only failed one course or not quite made the grade at a unit and been chopped.