§ 10. Mr. WilshireTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress of introducing standard assessment tests.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe testing of seven-year-olds in the core subjects started immediately after the Easter holiday. Teachers have worked hard and well on the tests. The evidence so far suggests that the exercise is going reasonably well in most schools. I will, of course, consider the experience of this year before deciding the precise form of the tests for the next year.
§ Mr. WilshireIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that union and Labour opposition to the standard assessment tests is not borne out by talking to teachers and parents? I recently visited 34 of the 36 schools in my constituency and heard universal support for the principle but concern about the detail. Will my right hon. and learned Friend confirm that the detail has been organised by teachers and not by politicians? Does he agree that testing has the support of teachers and parents, which contrasts with Labour's hostility to testing and its commitment to mediocrity for all?
§ Mr. ClarkeI agree with my hon. Friend that there are two clear issues, which he rightly distinguishes. One is the principle of whether to test seven-year-olds on their progress through the curriculum. There is widespread support for that among the teaching professions and parents. There is even bipartisan support in the House. The second issue is the exact form of the tests, which I should wish to consider in the light of the experience of classroom teachers this year. The form of the tests had been devised by the School Examinations and Assessment Council, appointed by me, which took a lot of trouble in devising child-friendly tests in response to pressures from parents and others. We have to ensure that the tests continue to be child friendly, that they do not put stress on 775 the children, that I they are reasonably straightforward and manageable and that they produce clear results as they evolve.