This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/education/6236463.stm

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Pupils may be tested more often Pupils may be tested more often
(about 3 hours later)
The government is considering replacing the national tests children in England take at 11 and 14 with shorter but more frequent assessments.The government is considering replacing the national tests children in England take at 11 and 14 with shorter but more frequent assessments.
Proposals for consultation will suggest tests be taken when teachers feel individual pupils are ready.Proposals for consultation will suggest tests be taken when teachers feel individual pupils are ready.
The idea will be piloted for two years from this spring in a number of areas.The idea will be piloted for two years from this spring in a number of areas.
Ministers hope the "mini" tests will inject momentum into the process of raising standards - and they have no plans to do away with league tables.Ministers hope the "mini" tests will inject momentum into the process of raising standards - and they have no plans to do away with league tables.
At present, children across the country are assessed at the end of each national curriculum "key stage": by their teachers, when they are aged about seven, and through tests in English, maths and science when they are 11 and 14.At present, children across the country are assessed at the end of each national curriculum "key stage": by their teachers, when they are aged about seven, and through tests in English, maths and science when they are 11 and 14.
Biannual testingBiannual testing
Education Secretary Alan Johnson said: "What we are doing is making sure that throughout that Key Stage we have a focus on each individual child and the issues that they need to get them to that level of attainment."
He added that many schools already use extra non-compulsory tests to monitor students' performance and that it was a question of using these as part of an integrated system.
He also said it would not mean more work for teachers.
Test results at the end of primary school have levelled off in recent years.Test results at the end of primary school have levelled off in recent years.
Officials envisage the pilot involving two test opportunities each year, in December and in May or June.Officials envisage the pilot involving two test opportunities each year, in December and in May or June.
Teachers would enter any pupils they felt were ready to move up to the next national curriculum level.Teachers would enter any pupils they felt were ready to move up to the next national curriculum level.
In this respect it would be more like the Scottish system, though that does not have the element of school accountability.In this respect it would be more like the Scottish system, though that does not have the element of school accountability.
The current cap on primary school achievement would be lifted, so that potentially even young pupils could hit levels well above what is currently expected of 14-year-olds.The current cap on primary school achievement would be lifted, so that potentially even young pupils could hit levels well above what is currently expected of 14-year-olds.
For the pilot, the universal national tests each May would remain. Mr Johnson said the extra tests could work like the Royal College of Music exam grades which students took when they were ready.
But ultimately, subject to consultation, these could be dropped altogether. For the pilot, the universal national tests each May would remain. But ultimately, subject to consultation, these could be dropped altogether.
Tables remainTables remain
What is clear is that, unlike their counterparts elsewhere in the UK, ministers in England are in no mood to do away with the annual performance tables, which they believe have driven up standards.What is clear is that, unlike their counterparts elsewhere in the UK, ministers in England are in no mood to do away with the annual performance tables, which they believe have driven up standards.
But they are keen to supplement the existing tables with something that reflects how many pupils in each school make the sort of progress they are expected to.But they are keen to supplement the existing tables with something that reflects how many pupils in each school make the sort of progress they are expected to.
Existing tables, focusing on so-called "threshold" attainment, do not reveal when, for example, a bright pupil is "coasting" - exceeding the national expectation but actually capable of much better.Existing tables, focusing on so-called "threshold" attainment, do not reveal when, for example, a bright pupil is "coasting" - exceeding the national expectation but actually capable of much better.
Conversely, they cannot show the considerable achievement of a less intellectual child who makes great personal strides but does not quite hit the "threshold".Conversely, they cannot show the considerable achievement of a less intellectual child who makes great personal strides but does not quite hit the "threshold".
The tables do already include "value added" measures which are meant to show the progress pupils have made.The tables do already include "value added" measures which are meant to show the progress pupils have made.
The newest of these - to be published later this week for secondary schools - will be "contextualised", controversially, to reflect certain aspects of children's personal circumstances.The newest of these - to be published later this week for secondary schools - will be "contextualised", controversially, to reflect certain aspects of children's personal circumstances.
But high average scores within these can still mask under-attainment and do not fit with the government's new drive to "personalise" learning and ensure every child's potential is fully realised.But high average scores within these can still mask under-attainment and do not fit with the government's new drive to "personalise" learning and ensure every child's potential is fully realised.
The new arrangements would most probably also bring new targets for schools.The new arrangements would most probably also bring new targets for schools.
Education Secretary Alan Johnson has said already he wants a debate about the possible alternatives, about which he had a "genuinely open mind". Mr Johnson has already said he wants a debate about the possible alternatives, about which he had a "genuinely open mind".
"Should we look at schools in terms of the overall numbers of pupils making progress at each stage?"Should we look at schools in terms of the overall numbers of pupils making progress at each stage?
"Should we move over time to a system where all pupils are expected to progress by at least two levels, say, in each key stage in reading, writing and maths?""Should we move over time to a system where all pupils are expected to progress by at least two levels, say, in each key stage in reading, writing and maths?"
He will be giving more details on Monday.He will be giving more details on Monday.