§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the recent statement by the chief executive of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority on the current assessment system. [3119]
§ Mr. Timms[holding answer 9 July 2001]: The chief executive of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) made a wide-ranging speech at the QCA Annual Conference on 26 June in which he made a number of observations about the possible future direction of the assessment system.
QCA conducted a review of statutory assessment (ie at Key Stage 1, 2 and 3) last year at the request of Ministers. This review covered three areas: strengthening and improving the current tests; enhancing the role of ICT in the tests; and improving teachers' own skills in assessment. Ministers welcomed the range and scope of the recommendations which officials in QCA and the Department for Education and Skills are now taking forward.