The man responsible for all the exams taken in schools in England is to face questioning from MPs to explain the problems with this year's Sats results.
The head of the exams watchdog for England is to face questioning from MPs to explain the problems with this year's Sats results.
Technical difficulties have led to results for over a million pupils being delayed for at least a week.
Administrative problems have led to results for over a million pupils being delayed for at least a week.
Ken Boston, chief executive of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, is to appear before an emergency Commons committee meeting
Ken Boston, chief executive of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, is to appear before an emergency Commons committee meeting
The National Association of Head Teachers wants the tests annulled.
Ministers have already announced an independent inquiry into the affair.
Ministers have already announced an independent inquiry into the affair.
This year the tests for 11- and 14-year-olds were run by the American computer company ETS, which gave assurances to the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority that all was well.
This year the tests for 11- and 14-year-olds were run by the US company ETS - and schools have complained of the problems being caused by the failure to return the results by the promised deadline.
There are stories of markers being transported up and down the country with their schools being recompensed for supply cover, and with them being given rail travel and hotel accommodation to help with marking Mick Brookes, NUT general secretary
We will be asking Ken Boston what the hell is going on Barry Sheerman, chair of children, schools and families select committee
But the QCA was forced to admit test results would be delayed by at least a week, blaming what it called " serious failings " by ETS.
There have also been warnings from the National Association of Head Teachers of "widespread problems" with the quality of the marking of this year's papers.
In response, ETS has given assurances that the quality of the marking will be at least as good as in previous years.
Mr Boston's one-off session with MPs will discuss the current situation on national tests.
Mr Boston's one-off session with MPs will discuss the current situation on national tests.
Barry Sheerman, chair of the Childrens, Schools and Families select committee, said: "The best thing to do seemed to be to get Ken Boston in, find out what's really going on, and ask the man who runs the QCA and is responsible for hiring this company, what the situation is."
Barry Sheerman, who chairs the Commons committee for children, schools and families, says serious questions must be answered.
The BBC News website was flooded with emails from parents examiners and schools complaining about technical difficulties.
"We will be asking Ken Boston what the hell is going on," said Mr Sheerman.
One parent, Myfanwy Unwin, from Staffordshire, told the BBC Sats testing "already puts children under massive pressure, and delays like this only add to it".
"This is an emergency session called in what seems to be a fast-moving situation.
Mick Brookes, general secretary of the NAHT, said schools have reported "all kinds of problems" with marking.
"We will ask why is it that a big business given a contract to deliver these results on time and in good form has not been able to do so."
He also warned parents should not rely on Sats results as the only indicator of the progress of their child's education.
The BBC News website has received many e-mails from teachers, parents and examiners complaining about the delays and warning of organisational failures during the marking process.
Mick Brookes, general secretary of the NAHT, said parents should not rely on Sats results as the only indicator of the progress of their child's education.
Mr Brookes said: "There are stories of markers being transported up and down the country with their schools being recompensed for supply cover, and with them being given rail travel and hotel accommodation to help with marking. It really is desperate.
Mr Brookes said: "There are stories of markers being transported up and down the country with their schools being recompensed for supply cover, and with them being given rail travel and hotel accommodation to help with marking. It really is desperate.
"There are bound to be mistakes in marking."
"There are bound to be mistakes in marking."
Have you had trouble with your children's sats results? What can be done to make the system better? Tell us about your experience by filling in the form below.
Have you had trouble with your children's sats results? What can be done to make the system better? Tell us about your experience by filling in the form below.
