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New tests for pupils 'are being rushed in too quickly'
Tim Ross23 Jun 2009
A new system of tests intended to replace Sats in state schools has suffered serious problems, it was reported today.
Secondary school pupils consistently scored lower marks than primary school children up to five years younger in the same maths tests under the proposed system, according to The Guardian.
Leaked reports were said to be critical of the pilot of the SLT scheme which is supposed to allow pupils to take tests at their own pace, instead of all together at the ages of 11 and 14.
Pilot tests involving 100,000 children over 18 months gave unpredictable results, with 10-year-olds regularly outperforming 14-year-olds.
The reports, by the National Assessment Agency, also said the pilot programme had been rushed in too quickly under political pressure and its aim of assessing pupils regardless of age across a broad curriculum were "very probably impossible" to achieve.
A spokeswoman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said: "We have always said the assessment system is not set in stone and we are committed to continuing -and learning from -these trials."
Reader views (1)
More prescriptive national testing legislated by knee-jerk government.....and they're suprised it doesn't work. What was wrong with tests administered by the school every year and national exams at 11 and 16? Maybe then we could return to emparting knowledge and understanding rather than teaching to whatever the latest test is.
- Mark, London, 23/06/2009 15:19
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