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New school exams system unveiled New school exams system unveiled
(about 2 hours later)
The new national exam to replace Standard Grades has been unveiled by the Scottish Government.The new national exam to replace Standard Grades has been unveiled by the Scottish Government.
Pupils will sit the first of the raft of new compulsory qualifications, which include tests for numeracy and literacy, in 2014.Pupils will sit the first of the raft of new compulsory qualifications, which include tests for numeracy and literacy, in 2014.
They will be tested in fourth year by a mixture of an exam and assessment.They will be tested in fourth year by a mixture of an exam and assessment.
Highers and Advanced Highers have survived the shake-up but the current intermediate exam has been scrapped along with Standard Grades.Highers and Advanced Highers have survived the shake-up but the current intermediate exam has been scrapped along with Standard Grades.
The introduction of the new general qualification has already been delayed by a year to 2014 after teaching leaders claimed more time was needed to prepare.The introduction of the new general qualification has already been delayed by a year to 2014 after teaching leaders claimed more time was needed to prepare.
It is also clear that Scotland faces a pressing need to improve literacy and numeracy skills among the wider adult population Fiona HyslopEducation SecretaryIt is also clear that Scotland faces a pressing need to improve literacy and numeracy skills among the wider adult population Fiona HyslopEducation Secretary
The new exams are linked with changes to the school curriculum which will be fully implemented in some schools from this August - and across Scotland the following year.The new exams are linked with changes to the school curriculum which will be fully implemented in some schools from this August - and across Scotland the following year.
Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the new system would deliver a more streamlined system, which was simpler for pupils, parents and employers to understand.Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the new system would deliver a more streamlined system, which was simpler for pupils, parents and employers to understand.
She said: "Scotland needs a new generation of national qualifications that will equip our young people with the skills and knowledge they need to rise to the challenges of 21st Century society.She said: "Scotland needs a new generation of national qualifications that will equip our young people with the skills and knowledge they need to rise to the challenges of 21st Century society.
"The changes I am announcing today will ensure that the key strengths of the existing arrangements will be retained, while long-standing issues, such as over assessment and unnecessary complexity in the system, can be dealt with."The changes I am announcing today will ensure that the key strengths of the existing arrangements will be retained, while long-standing issues, such as over assessment and unnecessary complexity in the system, can be dealt with.
"The new 'Nationals' will be specially designed to support learning under Curriculum for Excellence and will focus on developing the skills pupils need to support them in the future, be that education, training or the workplace.""The new 'Nationals' will be specially designed to support learning under Curriculum for Excellence and will focus on developing the skills pupils need to support them in the future, be that education, training or the workplace."
'Recognised worldwide''Recognised worldwide'
Ms Hyslop said she believed Scotland needed a stronger focus on literacy and numeracy, which had been borne out by the consultation process.Ms Hyslop said she believed Scotland needed a stronger focus on literacy and numeracy, which had been borne out by the consultation process.
"That is why I am pleased to announce the National Literacy and National Numeracy qualifications, which will promote improvement of these two critical skills," she added."That is why I am pleased to announce the National Literacy and National Numeracy qualifications, which will promote improvement of these two critical skills," she added.
"It is also clear that Scotland faces a pressing need to improve literacy and numeracy skills among the wider adult population, which is why we want to encourage uptake of the new qualifications by adult learners.""It is also clear that Scotland faces a pressing need to improve literacy and numeracy skills among the wider adult population, which is why we want to encourage uptake of the new qualifications by adult learners."
Dr Janet Brown, chief executive of the Scottish Qualifications Authority, said: "Scotland's qualifications system has a well-deserved reputation for quality which is recognised worldwide.Dr Janet Brown, chief executive of the Scottish Qualifications Authority, said: "Scotland's qualifications system has a well-deserved reputation for quality which is recognised worldwide.
"SQA is delighted to play its part, along with the wider educational community and as a member of the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board, in the delivery of a new breed of National Qualifications that are focused on the skills development needs and demands of the 21st century.""SQA is delighted to play its part, along with the wider educational community and as a member of the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board, in the delivery of a new breed of National Qualifications that are focused on the skills development needs and demands of the 21st century."
Teaching leaders have voiced concern about the way the Curriculum for Excellence is being implemented, with almost half of teachers claiming to have little confidence in advice which supports the reform, according to the EIS union.Teaching leaders have voiced concern about the way the Curriculum for Excellence is being implemented, with almost half of teachers claiming to have little confidence in advice which supports the reform, according to the EIS union.
On literacy and numeracy, the minister is shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted Rhona Brankin MSPLabour
Opposition MSPs questioned the minister closely on the details of the scheme, with some voicing scepticism about certain aspects of it.
Labour's Rhona Brankin said: "On literacy and numeracy, the minister is shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.
"It's too late just to attempt to tackle this at secondary level."
For the Tories, Liz Smith said she was "thoroughly confused" on aspects of the literacy and numeracy qualifications, and the degree of external marking that would be involved.
Margaret Smith, of the Liberal Democrats, called for further debate on the subject.
"I think it is essential that parents understand and support the suggested changes to national qualifications," she said.
"What plans are there to engage directly with parents about the changes? The conversation to date has been professionally driven. It is absolutely essential that parents are involved with this."