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Scottish pupils' report card published
17/08/2007
Primary pupils in Scotland achieve good levels of literacy and numeracy according to new achievement information.
The snapshot of primary and S2 pupils' attainment taken in May and June 2006 was published today through the second Scottish Survey of Achievement. It shows that many pupils are already ahead of expected levels but that there is room for improvement, particularly at S2.
The annual survey looks at literacy and numeracy and in 2006 had a particular focus on how children perform in some aspects of social subjects.
Key findings include:
- Pupils are performing well across all stages and many are achieving above the expected levels but attainment is variable and there remains room for improvement
- Strong levels of attainment in P3 and P5 for social subjects enquiry skills (carrying out tasks), reading, writing and numeracy
- Two-thirds of P7 pupils are well-established or better in numeracy but attainment in reading is less strong. Almost half of P7 pupils are well-established or better in reading at the level expected and, in addition, 25 per cent are reading at the level expected for S2
- Performance in S2 is also mixed - with around 45 per cent of pupils reaching expected levels in reading and numeracy. There is a gap between highest and lowest attainers with almost 20 per cent of S2 pupils well-established or better at the highest level in reading and numeracy
Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop said:
"Most Scottish pupils are receiving an education which provides a good basis on which to build their learning later in school and beyond. There is room for improvement and I am determined to see standards raised in classrooms across Scotland.
"This government is clear that an early start is the best start. That is why we acted promptly to increase, from this month, the number of teachers going into nurseries and the first few years of primary school. By getting education right in the first few years, we can provide the firm foundation on which to build successful futures. I am confident we will see the benefits of this approach in attainment surveys in years to come.
"We know that some councils are taking steps to provide strong support for children in the early years of education and that this is starting to pay dividends for their pupils.
"While primary pupils are performing well, I am concerned by the standards of achievement in second year, where fewer pupils are reaching the required standards. I will closely monitor the impact that the previous administration's pledge to cap S1 and S2 maths and English classes at 20 has in future surveys."
The Scottish Survey of Achievement (SSA) is the national monitoring survey for measuring pupils' performance across Scotland. The 2006 SSA is the second survey. It used a representative sample survey of around 27,000 pupils in P3, P5, P7 and S2 from around 1,300 schools to assess achievement.
Nationally, the 2006 SSA reports on attainment in social subjects enquiry skills (carrying out tasks) and a range of pupils' skills in reading and numeracy. In addition, the skills of working with others, problem solving and ICT, based in social subjects contexts, and writing are reported.
The 2006 survey also covers attainment in reading and numeracy, and teachers' judgements in reading, writing and mathematics in 16 council areas.
The 2005 survey reported on national attainment in English Language and Core Skills and on attainment in reading and numeracy, and teachers' judgements in reading, writing and numeracy, in 16 council areas.
The next survey will report on Science and Core Skills (2007 SSA).