This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Exam assessment burden reduced
07/12/2001
The burden of assessment for both teachers and students in a number of the new National Qualifications courses is being reduced, following reviews carried out on behalf of the National Qualifications Task Group (NQTG).
Deputy Minister for Education and Young People Nicol Stephen today endorsed proposals which will see changes to the first batch of 12 subjects reviewed by the NQTG. These reviews were carried out for NQTG by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. A second batch of subjects is now under review.
The proposals, and other action being taken by SQA, fall into three categories: a relatively small number of changes, mainly administrative, that can be introduced this year without disruption to teaching and learning; a larger number of changes that will be introduced from session 2002-03; and proposals to explore a number of issues with a view to subsequent changes.
Mr Stephen said:
"I am pleased to fully endorse the proposals brought forward in relation to the first batch of subject reviews. Ministers had expressed concern about the burden of assessment on both teachers and candidates and are publicly committed to reducing the burden. Implementation of the NQTG's proposals will reduce those burdens by eliminating unnecessary assessment.
"I am confident that the rigorous approach used by SQA, and the careful scrutiny by NQTG has also resulted in a series of proposals which as well as reducing the burden of assessment will maintain rigour and standards of assessment. These reviews have also shown that there is scope to increase consistency while reflecting the needs of individual subjects.
"I have asked SQA to implement these proposals, and to give schools and colleges detailed information and advice as quickly as possible. I am sure these proposals will be welcomed by all those with an interest in improving the quality of assessment."
The changes are designed to reduce unnecessary burdens of assessment and administration and increase consistency across subjects, while maintaining the rigour of assessment and the standards of the final awards. Due to the need to give maximum notice of changes for next session, and to enable some changes to be introduced this year, these decisions about individual subjects are being announced immediately. When the outcome of the consultation on the future of assessment is known, SQA will check if there are any further implications for the assessment of individual subjects.
The first phase of reviews covered 12 subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Geology, Biology, Biotechnology, Maths, Geography, History, Modern Studies, Modern Languages, Managing Environmental Resources and Care. The Task Group considered the first batch of reviews on November 13.
A review of English and Communication was carried out separately and decisions announced on November 15. All other subjects will be reviewed over the next few months.
- In relation to the subject reviews, the Task Group agreed a number of principles, asked SQA to apply these, and tested them before agreeing to each set of proposals. These included:
- A common limit to the total amount of candidate time that would be devoted to internal assessment (normally three hours per course for Unit assessments, but up to 4.5 hours where this could be justified)
- Consistency across all subjects, especially within cognate groups (eg the sciences or the modern languages)
- Formal assessment requirements must be necessary for certification. Where they had been included merely to encourage good learning and teaching practice, they should no longer be mandatory
- Elimination of duplication, so that each competence was normally tested only once
- Maintenance of rigour and standards
SQA consulted widely across schools and colleges before drawing up proposals for change. A number of principles for assessment were agreed by NQTG and SQA was asked to apply and test these in each review. Proposals were considered by an internal group of senior SQA officers before being presented to NQTG.