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Pressure mounts over school tests Pressure mounts over school tests
(about 6 hours later)
Pressure is growing on the government to sever links with the US company responsible for marking millions of school test papers.Pressure is growing on the government to sever links with the US company responsible for marking millions of school test papers.
As schools break up for the summer holidays, thousands of pupils have still not got their Sats test results.As schools break up for the summer holidays, thousands of pupils have still not got their Sats test results.
One in five primary schools in England is waiting for at least some results and secondary schools also face delays.One in five primary schools in England is waiting for at least some results and secondary schools also face delays.
Ministers blame problems on marking firm ETS but it said only a small percentage of papers had been affected.Ministers blame problems on marking firm ETS but it said only a small percentage of papers had been affected.
BBC News education correspondent James Westhead says the impact has been more widespread, leading to growing calls for the company's five-year contract to be terminated.BBC News education correspondent James Westhead says the impact has been more widespread, leading to growing calls for the company's five-year contract to be terminated.
Many pupils will go home not knowing how they fared in tests which could shape their future.Many pupils will go home not knowing how they fared in tests which could shape their future.
'Unacceptable' situation FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME
Primary schools have complained of "chaos and confusion" over the Sats marking.Primary schools have complained of "chaos and confusion" over the Sats marking.
Secondary schools are due to get their results for 14-year-olds on Friday but a significant proportion - especially in English - will be delayed into the summer, possibly affecting GCSE choices.Secondary schools are due to get their results for 14-year-olds on Friday but a significant proportion - especially in English - will be delayed into the summer, possibly affecting GCSE choices.
Schools Secretary Ed Balls said the situation was "unacceptable" and called for an apology.Schools Secretary Ed Balls said the situation was "unacceptable" and called for an apology.
He told Channel 4 News: "I think I want an apology, as parents do, but more than that, I want to know what's happened, what's gone wrong, we'll sort it out so it doesn't happen next year."He told Channel 4 News: "I think I want an apology, as parents do, but more than that, I want to know what's happened, what's gone wrong, we'll sort it out so it doesn't happen next year."
'Serial incompetence''Serial incompetence'
Shadow children's secretary Michael Gove said ministers should end the contract with ETS before next year's tests.Shadow children's secretary Michael Gove said ministers should end the contract with ETS before next year's tests.
Head teacher Janis Burdin questions the quality of marking'
"ETS have forfeited the right to run future Sats tests. Every day brings new evidence of their serial incompetence," he said."ETS have forfeited the right to run future Sats tests. Every day brings new evidence of their serial incompetence," he said.
"Ministers must act now to ensure next year's exams are run properly."Ministers must act now to ensure next year's exams are run properly.
"That means guaranteeing that a proper team to supervise the process is in place as soon as possible.""That means guaranteeing that a proper team to supervise the process is in place as soon as possible."
It comes after questions were raised on Thursday over the quality of work carried out by ETS, with teachers complaining of "erratic" marking.It comes after questions were raised on Thursday over the quality of work carried out by ETS, with teachers complaining of "erratic" marking.
Some schools said papers had been returned unmarked and others said pupils who had sat the tests had been marked as absent.Some schools said papers had been returned unmarked and others said pupils who had sat the tests had been marked as absent.