§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what targets and performance indicators are included in his public service agreements with the Department of Education and Skills; which are in respect of the performances of named local education authorities; and what steps he takes to(a) monitor the achievement of those targets and (b) audit the quality of information obtained to the Department from less local education authorities as to their performance against those targets. [62214]
§ Mr. Stephen TwiggI have been asked to reply.
The Department does not include indicators in its public service agreement targets specific to named local education authorities. However, all LEAs and schools are required to set annual targets for the performance of their pupils in the Key Stage 2 and 3 national curriculum tests and GCSE examinations.
LEAs are required to set out targets in their Education Development Plans (EDPs). The Department and Ofsted work together to assess the quality of EDPs and DIES education advisers provide guidance to assist LEAs in preparing and developing plans, which are submitted to the Secretary of State for approval. DfES both supports and challenges LEAs through monitoring and evaluating the implementation of EDPs. LEAs are visited by education advisers at least once a term; in addition EDPs are reviewed annually, and all LEAs are required to submit annually an update on targets for the coming school year for each school and the LEA as a whole, covering the targets listed in the EDP, and an evaluation report showing outcomes against targets at school and LEA level.