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ATL URGES GOVERNMENT TO HEED MPS CALL FOR REFORM OF NATIONAL TESTING

13 May 2008

Today’s Select Committee report leaves the Government as a lone voice in its support for the current national testing system, says the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL).

Responding to the Children, Schools and Families Committee report on testing and assessment, ATL general secretary Dr Mary Bousted said: “The Government should finally accept enough is enough. The current testing of children is damaging their education and demoralising teachers.

“We support most of the Select Committee’s conclusions, in particular the judgement that today’s national testing is used for far too many purposes and is narrowing what is taught.

“We would also like a thorough review of the accountability system and an end to performance league tables because there are better ways to provide information about a school’s performance to parents, pupils and teachers.

“Instead, we agree with the Committee that teacher assessment should be given a far greater role in monitoring pupil progress. We would like the Government to carry out a proper pilot of methods of assessment, focussed on teacher assessment.

“We have particular concerns about the pilot of single level tests, as they are still part of the current high stakes testing system. Adding additional criteria to the current tests will lead to a greater risk of a 'tick-box' mentality, which will deprofessionalise teachers, further narrow the curriculum, and bore pupils to tears.

”The Government says it wants to make the UK the best place for children to grow up. Reforming national testing so children can enjoy learning, parents have meaningful information about schools, and the Government can easily monitor the success of our education system would be a good place to start.”



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Association of Teachers and Lecturers

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