§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how much the techniques for assessment of practical skills in foundation science research programme has received from public funds to date; and how much further money it is anticipated it will receive before its work is completed;
(2) how many people have been employed in the techniques for assessment of practical skills in foundation science research programme in each of the years it has been in existence;
(3) who are the members of the techniques for assessment of practical skills in foundation science research programme advisory committee;
(4) how often the techniques for assessment of practical skills in foundation science research programme advisory committee has met since its formation;
(5) what guidance he gave the techniques for assessment of practical skills in foundation science research programme personnel on their appointment;
(6) what guidance he gave the techniques for assessment of practical skills in foundation science research programme advisory committee on its appointment;
(7) what consultations took place between the techniques for the assessment of practical skills in foundation science research programme team and potential employers regarding the content of its assessment system for foundation science and the proposed profiles; and what changes they made as a result;
(8) what discussions the Scottish Education Department had with Messrs. Heinemann Educational Books prior to its agreement to publish the techniques for the assessment of practical skills in foundation science material;
(9) what financial support or other inducements or guarantees were given to Messrs. Heinemann Educational Books in connection with its agreement to publish the techniques for the assessment of practical skills in foundation science material;
(10) what independent evaluation took place of the material produced by the techniques for the assessment of practical skills in foundation science research programme;
129W(11) what evaluation the techniques for the assessment of practical skills in foundation science research programme team undertook of its work, including any practical applications in the classroom;
(12) what is the estimated annual expenditure by Scottish schools on the purchase of techniques for the assessment of practical skills in foundation science material.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe techniques for assessment of practical skills in science research project is part of the Government's educational research programme in Scotland. It is one of a number of projects in the Munn and Dunning development programme, announced in 1980, to develop techniques and prepare for decisions on implementation of new curriculum and assessment arrangements for S3 and S4 levels of Scottish secondary schools. The initial project ran from 1 September 1980 until 31 August 1983 and received research grant of £41,324. It was concerned with development of techniques for the assessment of practical skills in foundation level science, and the use of assessment of such skills as a diagnostic tool as part of the teaching programme within schools. An extension of the project from 1 September 1983 to 31 August 1986 has been approved at an expected cost of £49,352; this will extend the initial project to practical skills at general level and continue trials and development of the previous work at foundation level.
The research team is based at Jordanhill college of education. For both projects there has been one full-time researcher and part-time secretarial support with a research team of four members of staff of Jordanhill college of education, giving professional support on a part-time basis — the cost of which is not charged to the research project. The scope, conduct and broad approach of the research are being carried out under a standard research contract discussed and agreed with my Department.
As part of the normal arrangements for an educational research project, an advisory committee was set up to advise the research team. The present membership of the advisory committee is as follows:
- Dr. A. Johnstone (Chairman): Department of Chemistry, University of Glasgow.
- Mr. R. Dawson: Adviser in Science, Lothian Regional Council.
- Mrs. K. Oates: Principal Teacher, St. Andrew's High School, Clydebank.
- Mr. K. Hutchon: Examination Officer, Scottish Examination Board.
- Dr. S. Brown: Research Adviser, Scottish Education Department.
- Dr. H. MacLaren: Her Majesty's Inspector of Schools, Scottish Education Department.
The advisory committee met once in 1980, three times in 1981, twice in 1982 and three times in 1983 in connection with the initial research project. It met once in 1983 in connection with the extension of the project. The remit of the advisory committee is the standard one provided by my Department as part of the normal arrangements for the educational research projects it commissions.
130W
School Leavers with no SCE Qualifications Percentages Region 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 Borders 30 33 29 29 26 Central 30 32 32 29 26 Test items for assessment have been developed and field-tested in schools which had been selected for piloting of the experimental course in foundation level science. Some testing of pupil response has been undertaken at Jordanhill college of education and teachers in the pilot schools have also assessed the various materials and test items which the project has developed. The progress of the projects has also been discussed and evaluated by the advisory committee in close liaison with the research team.
No direct contact or consultations with employers have been undertaken by the TAPS team. The ideas and materials developed in the project were fully taken into account by the joint working party of the Scottish examination board and the consultative committee on the curriculum, in devising its proposals for the new SCE standard grade examinations in science. A wide range of interested bodies were consulted by the Scottish examination board on the proposals for SCE standard grade science at foundation and general levels last year and responses were taken into account by the board in the final arrangements published in January. Practical skills are only one element of the new course to be offered in science at foundation and general levels for SCE standard grade. TAPS is neither prescribed nor the only possible approach to assessment of practical skills. Other approaches may be offered by schools to satisfy the board's requirements.
In accordance with the normal practice for commercial publication of educational research funded by my Department, an invitation to commercial publishers was issued through the educational publishers council by Jordanhill college. Eight publishers expressed interest and Messrs Heinemann Educational Books were accepted as publisher on the basis that they offered the most attractive overall package. No discussions were held between my Department and Messrs Heinemann and no financial support, other inducements or guarantees were offered or given to that company or any other publisher.
The TAPS materials have attracted a good deal of interest from Scottish schools and also from schools outside Scotland. No figures are held centrally of expenditure by Scottish schools on these or other individual publications or materials. Estimates of future sales are a matter for the commercial judgment of the publisher.