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Next generation of qualifications
02/12/2008
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, today welcomed a high level of engagement on the consultation for the next generation of National Qualifications for Scotland.
The Scottish Government launched the consultation earlier this year to explore how the system could be updated to meet the needs of the 21st Century and bring exams into line with Curriculum for Excellence, Scotland's new approach to learning and teaching.
More than 1,800 responses were received from young people, parents, councils, schools, colleges, universities, employers, professional bodies and others. Responses covered a wide range of views and Ipsos MORI has been commissioned to analyse the results.
Ms Hyslop said:
"We want all of Scotland's young people to be able to enjoy a rich educational experience that will equip them with the right qualifications to assist them in developing skills for learning, skills for work and skills for life.
"I am delighted that so many people have engaged with the consultation. This clearly shows that Scotland cares deeply about its education system and shares our ambitions to create a smarter and more successful Scotland."
"I will be considering carefully all of the consultation responses. I am determined to ensure that the decisions on this are well thought out and fully informed by the best advice. However, there are a number of critical areas where it will be important to make early decisions and reduce uncertainty.
"I am pleased that the responses show widespread support for increasing the focus on literacy and numeracy across the curriculum, with many respondents favoured assessing the attainment of young people in these key areas in S3.
"We need to press ahead in these key areas and I have asked the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board to give me early advice on the assessment of literacy and numeracy.
"The arrangements for assessment are critical to the success of Curriculum for Excellence but there is a risk that if there is too much assessment, learners spend too much time being assessed and not enough time learning.
"I have therefore also asked the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board to provide me with early advice on assessment and I will be discussing all of the emerging themes with Board further."
Ken Cunningham, General Secretary of School Leaders Scotland, said:
"School Leaders Scotland notes the extremely high number of respondents to the consultation and is thus very pleased to see that the Cabinet Secretary intends to consider the responses very carefully. We accordingly welcome the intention to focus on literacy and numeracy and assessment issues and we look forward to working with other interested parties on this."
David Cameron, President of the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES), said:
"Given the range and variety of responses to what was a complex consultation, ADES believe that the Cabinet Secretary is taking absolutely the right approach.
"We need to take the time to get things right and this underlines the recent decision to extend the implementation programme, however we also agree that it is important to make early decisions on literacy and numeracy and on assessment.
"We will be happy to work with the rest of the Management Board to advise on these issues and are committed to ensuring that these decisions are effectively implemented in all schools."
Larry Flanagan, Education Convener of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), said:
"The EIS welcomes this statement from the Cabinet Secretary and we are pleased that there will be a further round of discussions before any final decisions are made. It is essential that the assessment arrangements enjoy the confidence of the education community and, in particular, that they support the principles of Curriculum for Excellence.
"The EIS will continue to press the case for a reduction in the overall burden of assessment, which impacts on students and teachers, and for increased time for teaching and learning and looks forward to further dialogue with the Scottish Government."
Ipsos MORI are analysing the consultation responses and a range of other evidence. Their report is due to be published in February.
The Curriculum for Excellence Management Board comprises: Scottish School Teachers' Association, Scottish Qualifications Authority, Skills Development Scotland, Association of Directors of Education in Scotland, HMIE, Educational Institute of Scotland, Scotland's Colleges, Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland, Society of Local Authority Chief Executives, Learning and Teaching Scotland, The Deans of Education Faculties/Departments, School Leaders Scotland and Scottish Council of Independent Schools.