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| Tests scrapped for 14-year-olds | Tests scrapped for 14-year-olds |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Ministers are to scrap national tests for 14-year-old school pupils in England, following this summer's Sats marking "shambles". | Ministers are to scrap national tests for 14-year-old school pupils in England, following this summer's Sats marking "shambles". |
| Children's Secretary Ed Balls said a system of internal teacher assessment would be used instead from 2009. | Children's Secretary Ed Balls said a system of internal teacher assessment would be used instead from 2009. |
| But the tests taken at the end of primary school and used for school league tables will remain. | But the tests taken at the end of primary school and used for school league tables will remain. |
| A new system of report cards showing schools' academic attainment and pupil well-being is to be introduced. | A new system of report cards showing schools' academic attainment and pupil well-being is to be introduced. |
| TESTS IN ENGLAND Age 5: Teacher assessment of children's all-round development Age 7: national tests in English and maths marked in school by teachersAge 11: national tests in English, maths and science marked externally and school's results published nationallyAge 14: national tests in English, maths and science, marked externally | TESTS IN ENGLAND Age 5: Teacher assessment of children's all-round development Age 7: national tests in English and maths marked in school by teachersAge 11: national tests in English, maths and science marked externally and school's results published nationallyAge 14: national tests in English, maths and science, marked externally |
| This could be modelled on a system used by schools in New York which awards them a single grade, from A to F and attributes 75% of marks to educational attainment and 25% to other measures. | This could be modelled on a system used by schools in New York which awards them a single grade, from A to F and attributes 75% of marks to educational attainment and 25% to other measures. |
| Mr Balls told the Commons that the current testing arrangements for pupils at age 14 were "not justified" and that a more flexible system of assessment throughout Key Stage 3 would allow teachers to focus their efforts more effectively. | |
| But he said externally marked Key Stage national curriculum tests were essential to give parents the information they need on pupils' achievement and school performance. | But he said externally marked Key Stage national curriculum tests were essential to give parents the information they need on pupils' achievement and school performance. |
| "To abolish those tests as some argue would be the wrong thing to do," he added. | |
| He also said pilots of a system of tests designed to be used when pupils were ready to take them would not continue in secondary schools. They would continue to be tested in primary schools, however. | |
| Teachers, academics and MPs have been calling on the government to change the testing regime which they argue narrows teaching and damages children's education. | Teachers, academics and MPs have been calling on the government to change the testing regime which they argue narrows teaching and damages children's education. |
| Among the options that could replace such externally-marked tests would be a system of checking samples of tests or teacher assessments. | Among the options that could replace such externally-marked tests would be a system of checking samples of tests or teacher assessments. |
| In May, the Commons schools, children and families committee said tests were being used in a way that did not benefit children or schools, and that teachers were teaching to the test. | In May, the Commons schools, children and families committee said tests were being used in a way that did not benefit children or schools, and that teachers were teaching to the test. |
| 'Complete U-turn' | |
| Problems emerged with the marking and administration of this year's national tests for 11 and 14 year olds - with the delay in marking leading to the cancelling of the contract with the independent company, ETS. | Problems emerged with the marking and administration of this year's national tests for 11 and 14 year olds - with the delay in marking leading to the cancelling of the contract with the independent company, ETS. |
| Ministers announced an independent inquiry, under Lord Sutherland, into what they dubbed a "shambles". It is due to report this month. | Ministers announced an independent inquiry, under Lord Sutherland, into what they dubbed a "shambles". It is due to report this month. |
| Mr Balls has hinted that he had plans to change the national testing system - saying that the system was "not set in stone" - but insisted that he would not make any decisions before Lord Sutherland had delivered his report. | Mr Balls has hinted that he had plans to change the national testing system - saying that the system was "not set in stone" - but insisted that he would not make any decisions before Lord Sutherland had delivered his report. |
| "The wrong thing for us to do would be to suspend the tests in 2009," he told the BBC in mid-August. | "The wrong thing for us to do would be to suspend the tests in 2009," he told the BBC in mid-August. |
| However, the abolition of tests for 14-year-olds will be welcomed by many teachers and educationalists who want to see teenagers getting a fully rounded education. | However, the abolition of tests for 14-year-olds will be welcomed by many teachers and educationalists who want to see teenagers getting a fully rounded education. |
| Some will argue that removing the external pressure from the tests will allow teachers to concentrate more on personalised learning. | Some will argue that removing the external pressure from the tests will allow teachers to concentrate more on personalised learning. |
| Shadow Childrenâs Secretary Michael Gove welcomed Mr Ball's change of mind and said England had fallen behind in every external measure educational performance. | |
| "Weâve argued for fewer national tests and more rigour and we want to work constructively to improve the assessment and qualifications regime." | |
| Liberal Democrat Schools' spokesman David Laws said David Laws welcomed the government's "complete U-turn". | |
| "The Sats tests taken by 14-year-olds are not only a waste of time but have been highly unreliable over the last few years." |