Attainment
Attainment has to be measured nationally so that the Executive can make sure that pupil performance is continuing to improve. It is also important to know how Scottish attainment compares to attainment in other countries.
5 to 14 attainment
The Scottish Survey of Achievement (SSA) is the annual national survey of pupil attainment between the ages of 5 and 14. Attainment is measured in the third, fifth and seventh (final) years of primary (P3, P5 and P7) and the second year of secondary (S2).
The survey takes place in late April/May each year when pupils are close to completing their programmes of work for the year.
It is a sample survey, which means a random sample of pupils in a representative sample of schools take part. This provides a robust picture of national attainment. However, just because every pupil does not take part in the survey does not mean pupils are not being regularly assessed by their teachers.
The SSA currently cover English language, mathematics, social subjects, science and core skills.
The results of the first survey, which took place in 2005, reported on attainment in English language and core skills. Supporting evidence is also available. The 2006 SSA is looking at attainment in social subjects and core skills.
Further details about the survey are available in the Scottish Survey of Achievement information sheet and the Assessment & Reporting 3-14 Circular June 2005.
Post 14 attainment
Attainment results for Standard Grades and National Qualifications are available in a statistical bulletin.
International comparisons
Scotland has one of the best education systems in the world. International comparisons consistently show we are among the top performing countries - the premier league of education.
- In the last international study of secondary pupils' performance in maths (the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2003, which involved 30 of the most developed nations, only Finland, Korea and the Netherlands performed significantly better than Scotland
- In the same study, only Finland, Korea and Canada performed significantly better when it came to reading
- And only Finland, Korea and Japan were significantly ahead in science