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Fewer teens achieve maths target Fewer teens achieve maths target
(about 1 hour later)
The proportion of 14-year-olds in England reaching the required standard in maths tests fell slightly this year.The proportion of 14-year-olds in England reaching the required standard in maths tests fell slightly this year.
Some 76% of pupils reached Level 5 or above in the subject, which was down one percentage point on 2006. Some 76% reached Level 5 or above, against 77% in 2006 after a three-point rise over the previous year.
The decrease will be a disappointment to ministers but comes on the back of a three percentage point rise last year. There was an increase of one percentage point in the proportions of pupils meeting English and science standards, to 74% and 73%.
There was an increase of one percentage point in the proportions of pupils meeting English and science standards, to 74% and 73% respectively. But the government had set a target of 85% reaching Level 5 in English and in mathematics by this year.
Within the English test score results, there was a six percentage point increase in the share of boys meeting the required standards for reading but a drop of two percentage points in writing. Within the English results, there was a six percentage point increase in the share of boys meeting the required standards for reading but a drop of two percentage points in writing.
We know that boys tend to read less than girls Jim KnightSchools MinisterWe know that boys tend to read less than girls Jim KnightSchools Minister
Some 65% of boys met the standards for reading compared to 78% of girls, while 80% of girls met the standards for writing compared with 67% of boys.Some 65% of boys met the standards for reading compared to 78% of girls, while 80% of girls met the standards for writing compared with 67% of boys.
Boys' writing was highlighted as a particular concern when the primary school results for 11-year-olds were published last week.Boys' writing was highlighted as a particular concern when the primary school results for 11-year-olds were published last week.
In English overall, 80% of girls made the grade compared with 67% of boys.In English overall, 80% of girls made the grade compared with 67% of boys.
In fact girls out-performed boys in each of the core subjects.In fact girls out-performed boys in each of the core subjects.
Some 76% of girls and 75% of boys met the mathematics standard, and 73% of girls and 72% of boys meeting science standard.Some 76% of girls and 75% of boys met the mathematics standard, and 73% of girls and 72% of boys meeting science standard.
In information and communication technology (ICT) 74% of pupils met or exceeded Level 5.In information and communication technology (ICT) 74% of pupils met or exceeded Level 5.
Upward trendUpward trend
This is a three percentage point rise since last year and a 24 point rise since 1997.This is a three percentage point rise since last year and a 24 point rise since 1997.
The Key Stage 3 results are seen as important because they are seen as an important indicator of GCSE success.The Key Stage 3 results are seen as important because they are seen as an important indicator of GCSE success.
Schools Minister Jim Knight said the results were consistent with the trend of "unprecedented improvements" over the last decadeSchools Minister Jim Knight said the results were consistent with the trend of "unprecedented improvements" over the last decade
"Whilst I'm disappointed to see a drop in maths and writing, it's important to put this into context."Whilst I'm disappointed to see a drop in maths and writing, it's important to put this into context.
"The overall trend remains upwards and there have been dips in the past that have been quickly reversed," he said."The overall trend remains upwards and there have been dips in the past that have been quickly reversed," he said.
'Soul-searching''Soul-searching'
He added that he was pleased to see the improvement in boys' reading. "Confident literacy skills can help boys succeed in all subjects," Mr Knight said.
"Confident literacy skills can help boys succeed in all subjects. We know that boys tend to read less than girls. "We know that boys tend to read less than girls.
"That is why we are funding every secondary school library to acquire new books targeted at teenage boys and introduced initiatives such as every child a reader.""That is why we are funding every secondary school library to acquire new books targeted at teenage boys and introduced initiatives such as every child a reader."
But he said schools needed to continue to do better to ensure that those who were not meeting the required standards were brought up to scratch. But schools needed to continue to do better, he added.
The general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, John Dunford, said: "Key Stage 3 tests should be treated as a staging post on the way to the more important examinations at 16 and 18.The general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, John Dunford, said: "Key Stage 3 tests should be treated as a staging post on the way to the more important examinations at 16 and 18.
"They should not be turned into league tables which create days of national soul-searching.""They should not be turned into league tables which create days of national soul-searching."
The National Association of Head Teachers said the way that standards were rising year-on-year needed to be celebrated. The government said the tests ensured schools were accountable for children's progress.
The National Association of Head Teachers said the way that standards were rising year on year needed to be celebrated.
'Complacent'
Shadow Schools Minister Nick Gibb said the results confirmed Ofsted's view that half of secondary schools were performing at a level that was "not good enough".
The government was being complacent.
Secondary schools needed to learn lessons from the best, with a rigorous focus on better behaviour and classes organised in sets in all academic subjects so children were taught in groups of similar ability.
Liberal Democrat spokesman Stephen Williams said the government had fallen "woefully short" of its own targets.
"Any progress previously made has now stalled or is even going backwards," he said.
"Ministers must now say when they expect to reach their targets and what measures they will put in place to help teachers and children achieve them."