HC Deb 11 March 1991 vol 187 cc400-1W
Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the total annual cost of the national tests in primary schools, including all aspects of design, compilation, printing, marking, standardisation and collation of results.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Moray (Mrs. Ewing) on 6 February 1991 at col.87.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the exact arrangments to be made for transferring primary seven test results to secondary schools; when and by whom a decision was made on this; and when the decision was communicated to the regional councils, COSLA and the unions.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

The Testing in Primary Schools (Scotland) Regulations 1990 require test results from 1992 onwards to be entered in the pupil's progress record. This document goes with a pupil throughout his or her school career. The intention to pass the P7 test results of pupils to secondary schools was made clear in the consultation document "Curriculum and Assessment: A Policy for the 90s" issued in November 1987.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he obtained from(a) the General Teaching Council, (b) the Scottish Examination Board and (c) the Scottish Council for Research in Education on national primary tests.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

The General Teaching Council and the Scottish Council for Research in Education responded to the consultation document "Curriculum and Assessment: A Policy for the 90s". Tests have been developed through the primary assessment unit of the Scottish Examination Board.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who is responsible for the design of the national tests for primary school children; and what recommendations were made to him by Her Majesty's inspectorate about the tests, the subjects to be included and validation and standardisation of the tests.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

The preparation of test units, including their validation and standardisation, is the responsibility of the primary assessment unit of the Scottish Examination Board. Representatives of Her Majesty's inspectorate maintain close liaison with the unit. The intention to introduce tests in language and mathematics was announced in the consultation document, "Curriculum and Assessment: A Policy for the 90s" issued in November 1987.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what organisations or individuals have contacted him expressing(a) support and (b) opposition to national tests in primary schools.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Rutherglen (Mr. McAvoy) on 6 March 1991 at columns281–82.

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