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OECD report says 11-plus tensions 'affecting NI pupils' | OECD report says 11-plus tensions 'affecting NI pupils' |
(about 17 hours later) | |
Political tensions surrounding the scrapping of the 11-plus are having a major impact on the welfare of pupils in Northern Ireland, a report has said. | |
A review was carried out by researchers for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). | A review was carried out by researchers for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). |
It said polarised debate over the transfer test means children are not being properly assessed. | It said polarised debate over the transfer test means children are not being properly assessed. |
Some primary schools are pressured by parents to ignore policy and spend time preparing for unregulated tests. | Some primary schools are pressured by parents to ignore policy and spend time preparing for unregulated tests. |
The four-person OECD team said the tests are unsettling for children, parents and schools, and are also creating social imbalance through private tutoring. | The four-person OECD team said the tests are unsettling for children, parents and schools, and are also creating social imbalance through private tutoring. |
Streamline | Streamline |
In their 200-page report, the researchers said the lack of political consensus is penalising pupils and that children are under pressure to perform in the tests. | In their 200-page report, the researchers said the lack of political consensus is penalising pupils and that children are under pressure to perform in the tests. |
The OECD has also recommended an investigation into the use of commercial companies in testing pupils here. | The OECD has also recommended an investigation into the use of commercial companies in testing pupils here. |
The researchers said commercial tests risk dictating what is taught in schools and possibly distorting the curriculum. | The researchers said commercial tests risk dictating what is taught in schools and possibly distorting the curriculum. |
They also highlighted the failure to get the Education and Skills Authority up and running, and said it would significantly streamline the school system in Northern Ireland. | They also highlighted the failure to get the Education and Skills Authority up and running, and said it would significantly streamline the school system in Northern Ireland. |
The report said there needs to be more professional development for teachers and recommends a review of the current model for evaluation. | The report said there needs to be more professional development for teachers and recommends a review of the current model for evaluation. |
The report has been welcomed by Education Minister John O'Dowd. | The report has been welcomed by Education Minister John O'Dowd. |
He said the OECD team had recognised that Northern Ireland stands out internationally in many ways, including in the "assessment and evaluation system". | He said the OECD team had recognised that Northern Ireland stands out internationally in many ways, including in the "assessment and evaluation system". |