§ Mr. WhiteTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how standards are being raised in areas not in education action zones. [105601]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisThe Government are committed to creating a world-class education service. We have made it clear that raising standards is our top priority and are taking practical steps to help schools, teachers and Local Education Authorities (LEAs) to improve. To back up this pledge, the Government have provided an additional £19 billion for education over the three years 1999–2000 to 2001–02.
New initiatives are being put in place to raise standards in schools and LEAs all across the country. The literacy and numeracy strategies and their stretching targets for 2002 are at the forefront of the nationwide drive to improve standards. Other initiatives include Sure Start for early years, Education Development Plans (EDPs) for LEAs, Excellence in Cities, and the expansion of the number of Specialist and Beacon schools. Both Schools and LEAs are also subject to regular inspections by OFSTED. Success is now being rewarded and failure tackled. We also recognise that teachers are of central importance in the drive to raise standards. We have committed up to a billion pounds over the next two years in modernisation measures aimed at increasing teacher professionalism and morale.
434WStandards are beginning to rise. In 1997, 57 per cent. of 11-year-olds achieved the standard for their age in English and 54 per cent. the standard for maths. In 1999, this rose to 70 per cent. in English and 69 per cent. in maths. We are well on track to meet the 2002 targets of 80 per cent. in English and 75 per cent. in maths.