§ Mr. John Mackayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of the pilot scheme for a basic test in arithmetic and English for fourth-year pupils whose ability is below the range required for Scottish certificate of education examination board O grade.
471W
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThe pilot studies into foundation courses in English, mathematics and science which my Department is undertaking with the co-operation of some 60 schools will progress through the S3 stage in this session and the S4 stage in session 1980–81. The aim is to develop internal and external syllabuses and the related assessment arrangements for both the yearly stages. Experimental external tests will not be administered until the end of S4—that is, in the summer of 1981. The pilot studies are proceeding satisfactorily.