Mr. GihhTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on recent independent surveys regarding educational standards at primary school level in(a) maths, (b) reading, (c) science, (d) vocabulary and (e) non-verbal ability; and if she will make a statement. [65118]
§ Mr. MilibandWe are aware of the University of Durham Performance Indicators in Primary Schools (PIPS) tests. The results of the national curriculum Key Stage 2 English tests show a 12 per cent. point increase in the number of pupils achieving the expected level for their age since 1997. That increase is reflected in the reading component which shows a 14 per cent. rise. We are confident of the validity of these increases, as are schools throughout the country.