§ 12. Mr. TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what decisions have been made about the publication of standard assessment tests at seven years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldStandard assessment tests for seven-year-olds in English, mathematics and science will be piloted in a sample of schools this summer. In the light of lessons learned, revised SATs will be produced for the first full national assessments in these subjects in summer 1991.
§ Mr. TurnerHow will the Secretary of State ensure that the tests are used diagnostically to improve education development, rather than being employed simply to pit one seven-year-old child against another?
§ Mrs. RumboldAs I think hon. Gentleman knows, we are very keen to ensure that the purpose of assessments, and standard assessment tests, is to help teachers, parents and the children themselves obtain the best possible education, and assessments will be undertaken with that in mind.