Literacy setbacks hit curriculum plan
Education initiative to improve standards has the opposite effect
THE new school curriculum has suffered a blow after reading performance among primary age and year two secondary age pupils declined. Figures revealed performance in reading dropped, while writing at some levels in primaries and in secondary pupils in their second year was also affected. The Curriculum for Excellence was supposed to put more of a focus on basic skills such as literacy.
MINISTERS have come under fire after a decline in standards of literacy in Scottish primary and secondary schools.
Official figures show performance in reading dropped in primary schools between 2012 and 2014 – as well as in the second year of secondary school.
Recorded performance in writing at some levels in primary school and in S2 also fell over the same period, according to a report from Scotland’s chief statistician.
The results come as a blow to the new school curriculum – the Curriculum for Excellence – which was supposed to improve standards and put more of a focus on basic skills such as literacy.
Liam McArthur, education spokesman for the Scottish Liberal Democrats, called on SNP minis- ters to improve urgently the levels of support for schools.
He said: “These results show that the performance of Scotland’s pupils in reading and writing has either stagnated or is going backwards. This will have alarm bells ringing with parents across the country.”
Iain Gray, Scottish Labour’s education spokesman, said the government had failed to provide the support necessary for schools.
He added: “SNP ministers pulled Scotland out of international literacy studies because they did not like the results, but they cannot hide from their own figures in which their failure is laid bare.”
Eileen Prior, executive director of the Scottish Parent Teacher Council, also expressed concern over the findings.
She said: With only a few exceptions, the gap in attainment between children from the least and most deprived homes also remains stubbornly in place.”
The Scottish Government said work to improve pupils’ reading and writing would be stepped up.
Angela Constance, the education secretary, said inspectors from Education Scotland would be asked to focus on raising attainment in literacy when visiting schools. She said ministers would lead the setting up of a new national improvement framework drawing on the best of international practice.
Ms Constance said: “This government has already made clear that tackling the attainment gap is a key priority. In the last six months I’ve seen excellent work in our schools, to support learners and parents. It is essential that we both promote this positive practice in schools and identify where improvements can and should be made.”
The survey showed that last year about two-thirds of P4 and P7 pupils and 55 per cent of S2 pupils performed well, very well or above the relevant level for their stage in writing. However, this was lower than in 2012.
About eight out of 10 pupils at all stages are still performing well or very well in reading in 2014 – also lower than in 2012. The largest drop in standards was in writing in S2 where those performing well or very well fell from 64 per cent in 2012 to 55 per cent in 2014.
This government has made clear that tackling the attainment gap is a key priority. In the last six months I’ve seen excellent work in our schools