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Sats firm's latest job... in charge of English tests for immigrants
Benedict Moore-Bridger and Tim Ross21 Jul 2008
The American firm behind the Sats blunders has been put in charge of tests for immigrants, it was revealed today.
Despite calls for Educational Testing Services to be sacked, it has been put in charge of examining would- be migrants to the UK in English skills.
It means that the same company being slated for inaccurate marking, lost papers and late results which have left at least 175,000 children still waiting for their scores will help to decide who enters Britain under the Government's planned points-based system.
The disclosure of ETS's new role was made by Tory leader David Cameron. He said the firm had "a record of failure" in other countries, too, yet ministers seemed completely unaware.
"I understand they were awarded tests in Korea which went so badly wrong that people had to fly to Thailand," he said. "It has become clear they were awarded the language test for migrants."
Mr Cameron also said ETS should be penalised for the Sats fiasco by having payments reduced. "Those responsible cannot simply walk away with large amounts of public money they simply have not earned," he said.
Mr Cameron accused Schools Secretary Ed Balls of signing away the right to claw back some of the costs by agreeing to over-generous contracts.
According to the Tories, who announced today that they will launch a policy commission on school exams, ETS will run the Test of English as a Foreign Language and a Test of English for International Communication.
They said the contract involved "all the hallmarks of their previous debacles" such as computerised systems, rushed deployment, and online assessments.
A Home Office spokesman confirmed that ETS, which has also encountered problems in China, America and Africa, was an approved examiner for the English tests.
But he stressed that candidates would pay their own costs so no money would come from the taxpayer.
The Home Office announced in March that the English tests would be used to decide who comes into Britain and ETS launched them just two months later.
Shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve said: "This is yet more evidence of serial failure and incompetence across government. Language tests for citizens were lauded by the Government but they have entrusted their administration to a company with a proven shambolic record."
Mr Balls has called the Sats situation "unacceptable", but today claimed he is powerless to sack ETS. In a letter to MPs he said: "The contract with ETS Europe was drawn up by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, at arm's length from ministers. Any discussions about the contract are legally a contractual matter for the QCA and ETS Europe."
Officials added that ministerial intervention into the matter would be "totally inappropriate". The Government fears that the taxpayer could be landed with a huge bill if Mr Balls decides to terminate the £156 million contract with ETS Europe.
BOSS'S £1M CHELSEA FLAT AND SIX FLIGHTS A YEAR TO AUSTRALIA
THE man at the centre of the Sats marking fiasco has the use of a £1 million Chelsea flat as part of his pay and perks package, it was revealed today.
Ken Boston, 65, came under increasing pressure to justify his £328,000-a-year deal as it emerged that half a million children could be forced to re-sit key tests.
Dr Boston, chief executive of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, is paid more than the Governor of the Bank of England in salary after a 15 per cent rise on last year. His perks include the flat and six business-class flights a year back to his home country of Australia.
The flights, which typically cost between £3,700 and £7,700, can be claimed by either Dr Boston, his wife Yvonne or daughter Nathalie.
Mr Boston came to England six years ago amid another exam marking crisis. He first lived in Knightsbridge before moving to Cathcart Road, Chelsea, and now has actor Hugh Grant as a neighbour.
Government sources have questioned whether he can survive the furore. He has been ordered to send a copy of his contract to the Commons schools select committee which is investigating the crisis.
