But Ed Balls has announced a further three academic diplomas – in science, languages and humanities.
Three new more academic diplomas in science, languages and humanities are planned to start in 2011, which commentators said marked a government move to end A-levels and make diplomas the "qualification of choice".
Diplomas in science, languages and humanities had been planned to add academic rigour into the vocational qualifications, which have had a shaky start since their introduction in 2008.
This is not a new qualification in itself, but a way of measuring how many pupils in a school pass GCSEs in a science, language and history or geography, as well as English and maths.
One idea was to guarantee a sound curriculum for all students by adding six new curriculum directors, one each in math, science, language arts, humanities, instructional technology and physical education and health.
Students receive one-on-one tutoring from Achievement Academy staff in math, science, language arts and social studies, with sessions occurring Monday through Friday at the W.I. Patterson Recreation Center.
That's partly why the Department for Education is including arts subjects with the core subjects in maths, science, languages and the humanities in the first round of reformed GCSEs in two years' time.
Priestley received an excellent education in philosophy, science, languages, and literature at Daventry, where he became a "furious freethinker" in religion.
The state's 75,000 eighth graders in public schools scored well in science and language arts, with more than 80percentt ranked proficient or advanced proficient.
1.25pm: Gove says it is wrong to assume that children from poor backgrounds can't pass GCSEs in science, a language and history or geography.
