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Teens' test results mixed picture Teens' test results mixed picture
(20 minutes later)
Teenagers in England did less well in reading and science tests this year, provisional official figures suggest. Some of the school "league tables" in England might be delayed this year because of the test marking problems.
But the 14-year-olds did better than last year's in maths and in writing, in the national curriculum tests. Schools Minister Jim Knight said he expected that to be the effect of the delays in the marking and appeals.
The proportion reaching the expected level for their age rose four percentage points in the writing tests, from 73% to 77%. Provisional figures suggest 14-year-olds did better in writing and maths national curriculum tests this year but less well in reading and science.
A breakdown by local authorities has not been released as up to half the results are missing in some areas. A breakdown by local authorities has not been released as up to half the results were missing in some areas.
2008 KEY STAGE 3 RESULTS LEVEL 5 English: 73% (74% last year)Maths: 77% (76%)Science: 71% (73%)LEVEL 6English: 33% (32%)Maths: 57% (56%)Science: 41% (41%) Source: DCSF2008 KEY STAGE 3 RESULTS LEVEL 5 English: 73% (74% last year)Maths: 77% (76%)Science: 71% (73%)LEVEL 6English: 33% (32%)Maths: 57% (56%)Science: 41% (41%) Source: DCSF
The National Union of Teachers said this decision was understandable - but none of the results should have been published in view of the delays and questions over the marking organised this year by private contractor ETS. The National Union of Teachers said the decision not to release the local figures was understandable - but none of the results should have been published in view of the delays and questions over the marking organised this year by private contractor ETS.
The tests - popularly known by the misnomer "Sats" - are a measure of children's achievement against targets in Key Stage 3 of the national curriculum, the first three years of secondary schooling in England.The tests - popularly known by the misnomer "Sats" - are a measure of children's achievement against targets in Key Stage 3 of the national curriculum, the first three years of secondary schooling in England.
Schools Minister Jim Knight told reporters he expected a postponement of the performance tables. Those for primary schools, based on the Key Stage 2 results, are usually issued each December with the Key Stage 3 tables in January.
Officials later said publication was a matter for official statisticians, not ministers.
Mr Knight said of the latest Key Stage 3 results: "Schools' efforts mean that they are sustaining the significant improvements of the last decade - there are far fewer children below the expected level than 10 years ago and the brightest pupils are continuing to show good results, particularly in maths."
But he added: "We know there is more to do before all of our schools are truly world class and that every young person is reaching their full potential at age 14 and beyond."
The general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), Dr Mary Bousted, said: "The Key Stage 3 tests are an irrelevance. No one will be interested in the results when young people apply for a job.The general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), Dr Mary Bousted, said: "The Key Stage 3 tests are an irrelevance. No one will be interested in the results when young people apply for a job.
"In a year when Sats have collapsed under their own weight, cutting the Key Stage 3 tests would be an excellent way to reduce the excessive amount of testing our students face.""In a year when Sats have collapsed under their own weight, cutting the Key Stage 3 tests would be an excellent way to reduce the excessive amount of testing our students face."
Schools Minister Jim Knight said: "Schools' efforts mean that they are sustaining the significant improvements of the last decade - there are far fewer children below the expected level than 10 years ago and the brightest pupils are continuing to show good results, particularly in maths."
But he added: "We know there is more to do before all of our schools are truly world class and that every young person is reaching their full potential at age 14 and beyond."
Statistical changeStatistical change
From the processes that we have observed to date, there is no evidence of widespread problems with the quality of the marks Independent regulator OfqualFrom the processes that we have observed to date, there is no evidence of widespread problems with the quality of the marks Independent regulator Ofqual
Statisticians at the Department for Children, Schools and Families, which issued the results, say comparisons with previous years are skewed by a change in the marking process.Statisticians at the Department for Children, Schools and Families, which issued the results, say comparisons with previous years are skewed by a change in the marking process.
This involved removing the practice known as "borderlining", which involved double checking all the test scripts with marks just below the benchmark level (but not above it), to see if they warranted any extra marks.This involved removing the practice known as "borderlining", which involved double checking all the test scripts with marks just below the benchmark level (but not above it), to see if they warranted any extra marks.
The effect is particularly significant in English, in which the marking is more subjective.The effect is particularly significant in English, in which the marking is more subjective.
The statisticians say removing borderlining is estimated to reduce the percentage achieving Level 5 (the expected minimum level) by 0.9 percentage points in English, 0.2 points in maths and 0.6 points in science.The statisticians say removing borderlining is estimated to reduce the percentage achieving Level 5 (the expected minimum level) by 0.9 percentage points in English, 0.2 points in maths and 0.6 points in science.
At Level 6 the effect is even more pronounced: about 1.6 percentage points in English, 0.3 in maths and 0.9 in science.At Level 6 the effect is even more pronounced: about 1.6 percentage points in English, 0.3 in maths and 0.9 in science.
The figures show that the proportion of children attaining Level 5 in reading, writing, maths and science was 56% - down two percentage points on last year or roughly the amount predicted by the removal of borderlining.The figures show that the proportion of children attaining Level 5 in reading, writing, maths and science was 56% - down two percentage points on last year or roughly the amount predicted by the removal of borderlining.
DecisionsDecisions
The DCSF says the results were based on the data available at 25 July.The DCSF says the results were based on the data available at 25 July.
These included 84% of English results and 94% of the maths and science results, deemed to be a robust enough sample to produce reliable national figures.These included 84% of English results and 94% of the maths and science results, deemed to be a robust enough sample to produce reliable national figures.
Advice from independent regulator Ofqual was that "from the processes that we have observed to date, there is no evidence of widespread problems with the quality of the marks at Key Stage 3 that would justify withholding publication of the provisional results at national level".Advice from independent regulator Ofqual was that "from the processes that we have observed to date, there is no evidence of widespread problems with the quality of the marks at Key Stage 3 that would justify withholding publication of the provisional results at national level".
The publication involves only the national average figures - it does not affect the ongoing issuing of marks to schools as they become available.The publication involves only the national average figures - it does not affect the ongoing issuing of marks to schools as they become available.
The department's statement adds: "The head of profession for statistics has decided to delay publication of provisional KS3 results at the local authority level until there is sufficient volume of data for every local authority in all three subjects to enable publication of a complete set of provisional results on a consistent basis for all local authorities.The department's statement adds: "The head of profession for statistics has decided to delay publication of provisional KS3 results at the local authority level until there is sufficient volume of data for every local authority in all three subjects to enable publication of a complete set of provisional results on a consistent basis for all local authorities.
"Because of their smaller size, local authority figures require a higher proportion of results than the national figures require to enable the production of reliable provisional results.""Because of their smaller size, local authority figures require a higher proportion of results than the national figures require to enable the production of reliable provisional results."
There is no equivalent publication of test results for other parts of the UK.There is no equivalent publication of test results for other parts of the UK.