§ Dr. Hampsonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will describe in the Official Report the various methods which his Department is currently using to monitor performance in the educational service.
§ Mr. ArmstrongAn assessment of performance unit has been set up within my Department. The National Foundation for Educational Research is conducting on behalf of the Department a feasibility study in measuring mathematical attainment. Her Majesty's inspectors have performance constantly under review and, in addition, have undertaken pilot studies for surveys of both primary and secondary education. National surveys of reading have been conducted periodically since 1948 and the Bullock Committee included in its report the results of inquiries made on its behalf. Arrangements have been made for the National Children's Bureau to include tests of reading, comprehension and mathematics as part of its national child development study of a sample of children born in 1958. Performance is also assessed by reference to statistics of public examination results.