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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Test results 'may need scrapping' | Test results 'may need scrapping' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The head of one of the main education unions says the national curriculum test results may need to be annulled. | The head of one of the main education unions says the national curriculum test results may need to be annulled. |
| The "Sats" results in England have been delayed by technical and administrative problems at the company running the tests this year, ETS Europe. | The "Sats" results in England have been delayed by technical and administrative problems at the company running the tests this year, ETS Europe. |
| National Association of Head Teachers leader Mick Brookes said there were now reports of marking problems. | National Association of Head Teachers leader Mick Brookes said there were now reports of marking problems. |
| A House of Commons committee is set to ask the head of the exams watchdog for an explanation on Monday. | A House of Commons committee is set to ask the head of the exams watchdog for an explanation on Monday. |
| Mr Brookes said some schools had not had their children's test scripts returned, some had had them returned unmarked, some had been returned to the wrong schools. | Mr Brookes said some schools had not had their children's test scripts returned, some had had them returned unmarked, some had been returned to the wrong schools. |
| But the greater concern was that the "hot house" pressure on the markers to get the job done "is bound to lead to greater mistakes". | But the greater concern was that the "hot house" pressure on the markers to get the job done "is bound to lead to greater mistakes". |
| This was particularly so in English, and in the writing element of the English tests, which was far more time consuming than the simpler right or wrong answers in maths. | This was particularly so in English, and in the writing element of the English tests, which was far more time consuming than the simpler right or wrong answers in maths. |
| Extent | Extent |
| Mr Brookes mentioned as evidence e-mails the BBC News website has been getting, reporting problems. | Mr Brookes mentioned as evidence e-mails the BBC News website has been getting, reporting problems. |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | |
| The most recent of these include a report that ETS has sent one school in Lancashire boxes of unmarked test scripts belonging to schools. | The most recent of these include a report that ETS has sent one school in Lancashire boxes of unmarked test scripts belonging to schools. |
| Others say children of varying abilities have all been awarded the same mark. | Others say children of varying abilities have all been awarded the same mark. |
| Mr Brookes said it was too early to quantify the extent of the problems. | Mr Brookes said it was too early to quantify the extent of the problems. |
| "So we are saying that if there are widespread problems in the marking and the quality of the marking then this year's tests - publication of them - should be scrapped." | "So we are saying that if there are widespread problems in the marking and the quality of the marking then this year's tests - publication of them - should be scrapped." |
| 'Cruel' | 'Cruel' |
| The chief executive of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), which is ultimately responsible for the tests, Ken Boston, is to be questioned on Monday by the select committee in an emergency session. | The chief executive of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), which is ultimately responsible for the tests, Ken Boston, is to be questioned on Monday by the select committee in an emergency session. |
| But the committee chair, Barry Sheerman, said talk of the results having lost credibility was premature. | But the committee chair, Barry Sheerman, said talk of the results having lost credibility was premature. |
| "We will get to the bottom of this, we'll make a report and I think you'll find the delays have been sorted out. | "We will get to the bottom of this, we'll make a report and I think you'll find the delays have been sorted out. |
| "Let's think of the students here. How cruel would it be if your children suddenly had worked for a year and they said, these results aren't coming out, they don't count." | "Let's think of the students here. How cruel would it be if your children suddenly had worked for a year and they said, these results aren't coming out, they don't count." |
| Marking reviews | |
| England's National Assessment Agency (NAA), which now oversees the testing and is a subsidiary of the QCA, has told schools to submit requests for marking reviews by the end of term if possible. | |
| But it adds: "Schools are not however expected to complete review applications outside of term time and where schools are unable to submit review applications before 25 July, then requests should be submitted by 10 September 2008." | |
| The agency says the test papers have been marked largely by the same experienced markers as in previous years. | |
| "As in previous years, markers were trained by senior examiners in the use of the mark schemes, and did not commence live marking until they reached the required standard of proficiency. | |
| "During the marking cycle, and for the purpose of quality assurance, each marker's quality of marking was checked up to five times to ensure that they continued to mark according to the national standard. | |
| "Markers who had drifted from the mark scheme were given further training or had their work terminated, and their papers were remarked. This process was more rigorous than last year." | |
| Have you had trouble with the test results? Let us know using the form below. | Have you had trouble with the test results? Let us know using the form below. |