Testing times

Controversial tests for P1 children in Scotland are to be overhauled to make the questions more “familiar” to youngsters. A Scottish Government review into the new system of standardised assessments in P1, P4, P7 and S3 has set out changes to the regime introduced last year. Scottish Education Secretary John Swinney said: “Our review found that children generally rated the assessments as accessible and stimulating, while teachers were pleased with the information provided by the assessments.”

So, instead of Scottish education being a world leader, the SNP ensures we remain a Third World embarrassment.

Andy Mac

They just can’t help themselves. There is something in the SNP psyche that makes them utterly incapable of EVER saying that they have got things wrong. Swinney also insults parents by claiming fiveyear-old kids will be “asked for feedback” on the tests. What? Are they going to fill in a two-page questionnaire? They are five years old, for God’s sake!

Esox Hunter In education as in most other spheres, testing exists to measure progress, does it not? How can you measure the progress of a child who has just started formal learning? What about a test for government ministers?

Ingin Johnnie Usual assertions by Swinney, where are the statistics that show that these tests were well received? We’ve to believe that five year olds know what “accessible” and “stimulating” mean? Too many children are leaving primary school illiterate.

Maybe Yes Maybe No