The government's decision last week to scrap national tests for 14-year old pupils has been welcomed with caution by an education expert from Durham University.
Prof. Peter Tymms, Director of the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring, based in Durham University, said: "This decision is of major educational importance and could have a positive impact. But, schools do need to monitor the progress of their students. They also need to be able to assess their impact objectively.
"The advantage of the decision is a decrease in high stakes testing. The fear is that pupil failure will go unnoticed and schools judgments will be based on opinion.
"Teachers want to know what pupils know and can do and they are generally very good at judging this. But assessment data can help enormously and the opportunity now exists for schools to use assessments designed for their own use and not for external accountability."
The Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring (CEM) provides indicator systems to schools and colleges, and is the largest educational research unit in a UK university. Established in 1983, the Centre works with schools, colleges, education authorities and government agencies to provide information through scientifically grounded research.
As a parent of a child who was to sit the SATS as a Yr9 student, I was disappointed to learn that they have been removed. I feel children need a goal or target to aim for, and revision for these SATS gave them that, and it encouraged them to study. As a 14 year old they need something to aim for, if tests/SATS are not in place, they'll have the attitude of "whats the point of studying - I don't need to" as there isn't an end result. I only hope that my sons school will continue to have some sort of testing in place.
Linda Eastwood
The Secret Service
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