§ 8. Miss Fookesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give details of the work already carried out by the Assessment of Performance Unit within his Department; and if he will make a statement about its future programme.
§ Miss Joan LestorThe unit has been considering on which areas of pupils' performance its efforts to improve and extend assessment should first be concentrated, and which other areas should also be covered. Its specialist groups concerned with language and science have already had preliminary discussions, and the unit is in touch with work already in progress on testing mathematics. A widely based consultative committee is in the process of formation.
§ Miss FookesWhy has this unit done so little?
§ Miss LestorIt is difficult to answer that question unless the hon. Lady can be a little more expansive about what she has in mind. I have given details of progress so far. There was a delay in the appointment of a chairman, which meant that the consultative committee has not got off the ground as quickly as we had hoped. However, progress is being made. If the hon. Lady tables another Question on the next occasion that we take Questions on Education and Science, she will be provided with further information.