American Anthropologists have written to AQA in support of the UK A level. Our thanks go to Professor Monica Heller of the University of Toronto and AAA Executive Director Ed Liebow. Here's an extract: "We are concerned that the four-year trial period that the Anthropology A-level qualification was initially granted is simply too short to evaluate either implementation processes or educational outcomes, and we urge you and your colleagues to reconsider your decision to terminate the qualification when this current cohort completes its course. Our Association recently commissioned a Task Force on Anthropology and Education, which observed that anthropology has much to offer in exposing students to distinct modes of inquiry, values, and “habits of mind” in a diverse and increasingly unequal world. Our Task Force also observed that when students are engaged in learning about anthropology, they increase their awareness of cross-cultural understandings and their implications for justice and global sustainability, they are encouraged to foster systems thinking, and they improve mathematics, writing, technology, and presentation skills. The AAA Task Force formulated these observations, which you can read in full here (http://www.aaanet.org/cmtes/commissions/Anthropology-in-Education-Task-Force.cfm), based in part on visits with the group that developed the A-level standards, and on observations of anthropology classes in several London schools. Terminating the Anthropology A-level in the UK is, in our judgment, premature. The qualification has only been offered since 2010 and, like any new A-level subject, needs time to grow and become more familiar to students, their parents, and guidance counselors. We sincerely hope the AQA will give it a proper chance to grow." Read more of the letter at http://www.aaanet.org/issues/policy-advocacy/upload/150301-AQA_AAA_Anthro_A_Levels.pdf