§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to encourage higher education institutions to introduce standardised testing for scholastic attainment. [119143]
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§ Mr. Wicks[holding answer 17 April 2000]: Admissions procedures are a matter in the first instance for individual higher education institutions.
The Government wish to see a widening of access to higher education, and we share the aspiration of those who promote the use of Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SATs) that higher education should be available to all who can benefit from it. The substantial reform of post-16 qualifications to be introduced from September will help broaden access to university by giving recognition to a wider range of qualifications. In addition, we are investing heavily in raising standards in deprived areas through "Excellence in Cities". This year we shall be launching new summer schools to help young people to understand better the opportunities higher education can offer. New "Opportunity Bursaries" of up to £1,000 per year will also be introduced from next year to give able young people from areas without a history of participation in higher education the extra financial incentives and confidence they need to embark on a higher education course.
The Sutton Trust is running a small pilot of SAT-type tests in schools in England this year.
Although its research is entirely separate from DfEE activities in this area we are happy to work closely with the Trust because its work is focused on widening the socio-economic profile of students in higher education. We have learned from its experience in running summer schools and have adopted much of its best practice in the summer schools we will launch this summer.