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 instead a system of internal teacher assessment would be used from 2009.
Children's Secretary Ed Balls said instead a system of internal teacher assessment would be used 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 85% of marks to educational attainment and 15% to other measures.
This is likely to be modelled on a system used by schools in New York which awards them a single grade, from A to F and attributes 85% of marks to educational attainment and 15% 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.
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.
He said there would be frequent reporting to parents of children in Years 7, 8 and 9, with a stronger focus on one-to-one tuition and catch up support for struggling pupils.
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.
"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 teachers thought pupils were ready to take them, would not continue in secondary schools. They would continue to be tested in primary schools, however.
He also said pilots of a system of tests, designed to be used when teachers thought 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.
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'
'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 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 Children's Secretary Michael Gove welcomed Mr Ball's change of mind and said England had fallen behind in every external measure educational performance.
Shadow Children's Secretary Michael Gove welcomed Mr Ball's change of mind and said England had fallen behind in every external measure educational performance.
"We've argued for fewer national tests and more rigour and we want to work constructively to improve the assessment and qualifications regime."
"We've argued for fewer national tests and more rigour and we want to work constructively to improve the assessment and qualifications regime."
Liberal Democrat children's spokesman David Laws welcomed the government's "complete U-turn".
Liberal Democrat children's spokesman 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."
"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."
Acting general secretary of the NUT Christine Blower said the announcement was an admission that the testing system had failed.
Acting general secretary of the NUT Christine Blower said the announcement was an admission that the testing system had failed.
"For too long, English, Mathematics and Science teachers in secondary schools have found themselves skewing everything to enable their pupils to jump through a series of unnecessary hoops," she said.
"For too long, English, Mathematics and Science teachers in secondary schools have found themselves skewing everything to enable their pupils to jump through a series of unnecessary hoops," she said.
Are you a teacher or parent of a 14-year-old student? Do you support the government decision? Send your comment using the form below:
Are you a teacher or parent of a 14-year-old student? Do you support the government decision? Send your comment using the form below:
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