Teachers: Scrap all the exams
Scotland’s end-ofyear exams should be replaced with continuous assessment, according to a teaching union.
EIS leader Larry Flanagan urged Education Minister John Swinney to launch a “fundamental review” during a private meeting to discuss the downgrading of 124,000 pupils’ results.
Following the furore over the SQA’s grading system, Mr Flanagan said: “The bigger issue, and I’ve said this to the Education Minister, is the exam system doesn’t work.
“We have a high stakes exam system which appears to be failing those from disadvantaged backgrounds because of the way that assessment works.
“What we should be looking at is some form of continuous assessment that actually better reflects the abilities of these young people than the high stakes system, which is geared towards those who are good at sitting exams.”
Mr Flanagan said there is no guarantee next year’s exams will go ahead, so continuous assessment could provide an alternative.
The Scottish Government said: “We have engaged with the wider system on this issue on a number of occasions.
“We supported a comprehensive look at assessment involving all stakeholders resulting in the development of the Revised National Qualifications, which was launched in 2014 and 2015.
“However, John Swinney, the Deputy First Minster, has been clear that the matter of assessment and the format of exams is one that should continue to be considered.”