§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the total cost, at the latest date for which figures are available, of(a) materials used or to be used in the scheduled standard assessment tasks for 1993 and (b) advertisements relating to testing and commending these tests to parents.
§ Mr. ForthThe total cost of producing and distributing all the materials for this year's tests of seven and 14-year-olds is estimated at £6.5 million. This is borne entirely by the School Examinations and Assessment Council. There is no direct cost to schools.
It is estimated that the cost of advertising the leaflet "How is Your Child Doing at School?" which provides information to parents about this summer's tests is £415,000.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education by what date he expects his policy in regard to standard assessment tasks to be fully operational.
§ Mr. ForthI refer the right hon. Member to the statement my right hon. Friend made to the House on 11 May,Official Report, columns 651–60.
§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has received from secondary schools in Abingdon concerning the operation of his system of national testing of school pupils.
§ Mr. ForthMy right hon. Friend has received various oral and written comments from secondary schools in Abingdon. These have concerned various aspects of the tests for 14-year-olds. The review being conducted by Sir Ron Dearing will consider such comments about the tests, with the aim of improving the assessment and testing arrangements in the future.