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Balls signals end for external marking of primary tests
Tim Ross, Education Correspondent19 Nov 2009
Children's Secretary Ed Balls today heralded the end of testing in primary schools.
The minister said he was open to abolishing externally marked Sats in English and maths for 11-year-olds. Instead, teachers could be left to assess their pupils with sample results being sent for moderation.
Studies have warned that children's education is being blighted by pressure to pass the exams. With unions threatening to boycott next year's Sats, Mr Balls announced a programme to “build confidence” in the reliability of teachers' reports.
Mr Balls said parents needed more evidence that teacher assessments were reliable before Sats could be scrapped, but said: “I am not closing the door to long-term reform.”
Reader views (1)
"I am not closing the door to long-term reform."
It seems education was not a strong point of our Balls of a minister.
To me the phrase "long-term" in the arena of education would imply a period greater than five months. Balls will be looking a job in less.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 19/11/2009 15:12
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