§ Lord Hanningfieldasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they intend to take following the publication of the report by the Qualifications and Assessment Agency on 14 February on the costs and complexity of the examination system. [HL1370]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Lord Filkin)The reportFinancial Modelling of the English Exams System 2003–04 was commissioned by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to inform the exams modernisation programme, which is aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the general examinations system. As last week's White Paper 14–19 Education and Skills makes clear, all assessment should be valid, reliable, fair and transparent, and the White Paper sets out proposals to reduce the assessment burden at 16 and 18.
But the Government recognise that an effective exams system inevitably has costs attached. Therefore, alongside implementing the plans in the White Paper, the Government will continue to provide funding and support for the exams modernisation programme, to ensure the most effective use of the investment made in the system.