National Tests (Cheating) (Hansard, 31 October 2002)

§ Mr. Damian Green
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he has taken to gather evidence about cheating in national tests for 11-year-olds; and if he will make a statement. [78376]

§ Mr. Miliband
The QCA reports to the Department each year on the incidence of malpractice and maladministration in national tests. Both the Department and QCA take all complaints about malpractice very seriously. QCA works closely with LEAs to investigate and monitor reported incidents. Even anonymous complaints are recorded and monitored. QCA works very closely with LEA inspectors who conduct thorough checks throughout the test process. Investigations of malpractice can involve a review of scripts from a school, interviews with teachers, talking to children and drawing on advice from experts in the field depending upon the nature of the allegations.
In 2002, 479 cases of alleged malpractice or maladministration across the three key stages were reported, leading to the annulment of the results of seven schools. Of these seven schools, four had the results in one subject annulled, two the results in two subjects and one the results in all three subjects.

§ Mr. Damian Green
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent guidance his Department has given the QCA on preventing cheating in national tests for 11-year-olds. [78380]

§ Mr. Miliband
The Department's remit to the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority includes the maintenance of a robust, reliable and credible examination and assessment system. As part of its role in overseeing the administration of statutory assessments, it is for the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to approach the Department with proposals for minimising the incidence of malpractice and maladministration in the national tests.
The QCA will continue to keep its processes under review and to advise the Department accordingly.

§ Mr. Damian Green
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will set up an inquiry into the levels of cheating in national tests for 11-year-olds. [78377]

§ Mr. Miliband
No. The QCA continues to keep its processes for detecting and investigating malpractice under review.
QCA works closely with LEAs to investigate and monitor reported incidents. Anonymous complaints are recorded and monitored. QCA works very closely with LEA inspectors who conduct thorough checks throughout the test process. Investigations of malpractice can involve a review of scripts from a school, interviews with teachers, talking to children and drawing on advice from experts in the field depending upon the nature of the allegations. There has been no evidence presented to Government of widespread malpractice in the administration of the Key Stage 2 tests this year.
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