Reform 'high stakes' primary tests, MPs urge

Tuesday 02nd May 2017 17:22 EDT
 

Children's education in England is being skewed by the use of high-stakes tests taken by 11-year-olds as a school league table measure, say MPs.

Annual test results should be replaced in the tables by a three-year rolling average to "lower the stakes", says the Commons Education Select Committee.

The current system has led to a narrow curriculum and "unnecessary stress" on pupils and teachers, argues the report.

Last year, new tougher tests for 11-year-olds saw passes drop sharply. Ministers maintain that parents have a right to expect testing in schools to show whether their children are gaining the right skills in maths and literacy.

But the committee says the close link between the tests at 11 and school accountability can "lead to a narrowing of the curriculum and 'teaching to the test', as well as affecting teacher and pupil well-being".

It wants the current system scrapped, with three-year rolling averages for schools published instead of the results of individual year groups.

The report says poor implementation of the new system last year, with "guidance delayed and test papers leaked online", caused significant disruption in schools.

The MPs want ministers to reconsider the new writing assessment which emphasises "technical aspects like grammar and spelling, over creativity and composition".

They also want spelling, punctuation and grammar tests for 11-year-olds to become non-statutory.


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