ATL CALLS FOR COMPLETE OVERHAUL OF NATIONAL SCHOOL TESTING

14 January 2008

The current systems of endless testing and assessment should be scrapped, says the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL). 

Giving evidence to the Children, Schools and Families Select Committee on testing and assessment later today (Monday, January 14) ATL general secretary, Dr Mary Bousted, will say: 

“The national testing and examination system is not fit for purpose and should be scrapped because it’s unreliable; and does not reflect pupils’ real ability.  Many of the tests are heavily reliant on pupils’ memory, and test their ability to take tests rather than their skills and knowledge.

“Preparing for tests takes too much school time, leaving less for learning, and ends up demotivating pupils and staff alike.   Too many pupils see passing tests as their main educational aim.“

She will say:  “To be successful in life young people need to be lifelong learners, but our current system does little to encourage this.   The current system demoralises lower-achieving pupils, who believe they are failures. 

“Teachers are frustrated with the increasing number of tests, and many feel highly pressured because of the league table culture to “teach to the test” rather than teaching a wider curriculum – so many teachers are also demotivated.

Instead of the current system, Dr Bousted suggests learning from the Scottish system which uses sample testing to get a more accurate picture of how well year groups are learning, and also making greater use of teacher assessment, which already provides more meaningful data to parents than any paper-based grade.”

She will conclude:  “Performance league tables are damaging, undermine school collaboration and offer little real information to parents.  If we want to prepare young people for the challenges of the future, we need a more engaging curriculum with an assessment system which supports it.”

For further information please contact the ATL press office on 0207 782 1589 or visit our website www.atl.org.uk.