§ Mr. Livingstoneasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science on what basis he will determine the specific objective ratings for school attainment scores, in particular with mathematics, once the regular testing of children at seven, 11 and 14 years comes into force.
§ Mrs. RumboldMy right hon. Friend has appointed expert working groups on mathematics and on science to advise on the national attainment targets for these subjects and arrangements for assessment and testing performance in relation to these targets. He has also appointed a task group on assessment and testing to make recommendations for a national assessment system, including ways in which results should be expressed and reported to meet the various purposes of assessment.
The mathematics and science working groups are to produce interim reports in November and final reports by July 1988. The task group on assessment and testing has been asked to report by Christmas 1987. There will be consultations about its recommendations before new arrangements are brought into effect.