Attainment
Attainment has to be measured nationally so that the Scottish Government 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 in primary and early secondary. The SSA uses a sample survey rather than assessing every single pupil in Scottish schools.
Until 2009 the survey focused on different aspects of the 5-14 curriculum - English Language, Social Subjects, Enquiry Skills, Science, Maths and Core Skills. In 2009 the focus was on the literacy skills of reading and writing. To reflect the importance of the development of literacy and numeracy skills as part of Curriculum for Excellence the SSA will be re-focused to survey these skills, in alternate years from 2011. During 2009-10 the focus of activity will be to develop and trial assessment materials to ensure that the survey is aligned fully with Curriculum for Excellence.
The survey is delivered through a partnership between the Scottish Government, Learning and Teaching Scotland, the Scottish Qualifications Authority and HMIE. It takes place in late April/May each year when pupils are close to completing their programmes of work for the year. The main findings are published by the Scottish Government in the year following the survey.
Further information about the Scottish Survey of Achievement.
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 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