15 families take kids out of P1 tests
A total of 15 local families so far have withdrawn their children from controversial national P1 Standardised Assessments.
In October Tory councillor Bryan Flannagan lodged a motion asking the council to ensure all parents and carers of P1 pupils were made aware of their right to withdraw their child from the contentious national P1 assessments.
However, the Tories then backed a subtly amended version put forward by the SNP /Labour admin backing the move to make sure all parents and carers were informed of their rights, which was unanimously agreed.
A letter was then issued by the council to parents on November 18.
Now it has emerged that 15 children have so far been withdrawn from the assessments.
All parents and carers have until early next year to contact the headteacher of their children’s school to request their child be opted out.
P1 assessments have become a controversial subject nationally, after opposition parties defeated the SNP Government at Holyrood earlier this year, albeit the vote was non binding.
Critics claim the assessments are damaging to children in their first year of school, putting too much pressure upon them.
However the Scottish Government say they are useful to assess children’s progress and target any difficulties at an early stage and just one of a number of assessments children are given throughout their development.
Education Secretary John Swinney refused to scrap them, however it later emerged there was ‘no legal obligation’ for pupils to take part, and the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) launched a campaign to make sure parents are made aware of this.
Fife Council recently scrapped all tests for P1 pupils.
Councillor Flannagan said: “I am pleased the letter was sent and that it has informed people of their rights. These assessments are not legally binding and remain very controversial. I hope we can have a sensible debate regarding their future in the Stirling area.
“Should any parent or carer have concerns about having their children take these assessments then they should raise them with the headteacher of their school at the start of the term in the new year.”
Advice issued by council officers earlier this year said advice from the Scottish Government and ADES (Association of Directors of Education in Scotland) states that SNSAs are not provided for in legislation.
“This means they cannot be seen as compulsory,” they added, “but also that there cannot be an absolute right for parents to withdraw their children from the assessments, or indeed any other part of the school curriculum (with the exception of some parts of religious observance and instruction).
“However, as with other aspects of the curriculum, parents may request to withdraw their child from an activity and the school will consider this with them. In keeping with this, should any parent/carer have particular concerns about their child’s participation, they should discuss this with their school with a view to reaching agreement on whether the child will undertake the assessments.”