Sats replacement ideas divisive
Two education unions have called again for national curriculum or "Sats" tests in England, and school league tables derived from them, to be scrapped.
The National Union of Teachers and the National Association of Head Teachers are holding a conference on the issue.
They say assessments by teachers should be used at all levels from the age of seven upwards - but another union is alarmed at the workload implications.
A government-commissioned expert group is currently investigating assessment.
Sats for 14-year-olds have ended following the marking fiasco last year.
The government is piloting single level tests as a potential replacement, though these have exposed teething troubles.
The single level tests are used to confirm teachers' assessments of when pupils have reached the next stage of the national curriculum in the core subjects of English and maths.
'Outdated'
The unions said in a statement that Sats are "narrowing the curriculum" because schools are set achievement targets based on them so teachers tailor classes towards passing them.
They say teachers are also likely to concentrate on pupils who are borderline - working just below the level needed to give the school a higher rating - to the detriment of high achievers and those who are struggling.
The results of the tests taken by 11-year-olds in England form the basis of the primary school "league tables" published each year - though last year's have been delayed, probably to April, by the marking fiasco.
The acting general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Christine Blower, said: "I see no reason why the government in England should not adopt our joint proposals.
"Against all the evidence, it has clung to an outdated system which discourages innovation and inhibits children and teachers alike."
Workload
But the NASUWT classroom union said calling for Sats to be scrapped and replaced by teacher assessment was "reckless and out of touch with the reality of what is happening in schools".
General secretary Chris Keates said: "In the largest national survey ever conducted on the drivers of teachers' workload, 16,500 teachers put assessment at the top of the list.
"This problem has been compounded by the decisions taken in many schools following the abolition of the Key Stage 3 Sats, where the grim reality is increased assessment demands for teachers and pupils, as well as the continuation of the tests in many cases."
She said it was irresponsible to call for the abolition of one system without offering a credible alternative which would restore the professional judgement and autonomy of the classroom teacher.
Her claims are given weight by the evidence of providers of independent and optional testing materials, who report that schools are using a battery of tests even when they are not required to.
At the London conference a member of the government's expert group, Sir Tim Brighouse, suggested primary schools might hold "graduation ceremonies", recognising success in such things as singing as well as their core subjects of English, maths and science.
"I think it's awful that after seven years of primary school they leave, and what have they got to show for it? A level 2a or 3b," he said. The government expectation is higher - at least Level 4.
"Why not have a system - for heaven's sake not a nationally prescribed system - where if a child is an absolutely brilliant singer, let's celebrate that, or if they're a young writer or a young inventor."
Compulsory tests, with published results and tables, are now solely an English phenomenon within the UK. In Wales, teacher assessments have been made compulsory.
In Scotland, national assessments are taken when pupils are ready and are marked within schools. In Northern Ireland, annual pupil profiles are replacing statutory tests.
Source: BBC News 11th February 2009.
11th Feb 2009
