§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how he assesses educational efficiency and value for money in respect of courses followed by pupils who do not obtain formal academic qualifications.
§ Mr. DunnMy right hon. Friend's main source of information and advice on the quality of all educational provision is Her Majesty's Inspectorate. My right hon. Friend's concern for the group of pupils referred to is well known, and a number of initiatives are under way to improve the standards and appropriteness of education they receive.
The lower attaining pupils programme, which began last September, exemplifies the Government's concern with those pupils for whom the existing 16-plus examinations are not designed. Early reports from the LEAs concerned are encouraging: there is evidence of higher motivation among pupils and enthusiasm among teachers. In mathematics, the Department has commissioned three research projects at a total cost of over £500,000 on the needs of lower attaining pupils in secondary schools; two of these are concerned with to use of graduated tests as a means of assessment.
My right hon. Friend announced at Sheffield earlier this year the Government's aim of bringing 80 to 90 per cent. of pupils to the level currently achieved by average pupils across a number of subjects. This will have major implications for the teaching of less able pupils, and syllabuses and examinations will need to provide opportunities for these pupils to demonstrate what they are 414W capable of achieving. The development of records o achievement for school leavers will do much to ensure that no pupil leaves school with nothing to show for the years spent in full-time education.