Letter to the Chairman submitted by Rt
Hon Ed Balls MP, Secretary of State, Department for Children,
Schools and Families
I am writing to inform you that the Qualifications
and Curriculum Authority (QCA) has advised me on behalf of the
National Assessment Agency (NAA) that there are some delays in
the release of Key Stage 2 and 3 National Curriculum test results
to schools.
More time is needed to complete marking and
to continue to resolve technical issues. Some 90% of Key Stage
2 marks and levels are now in the system, but the Key Stage 3
position is less close to being complete.
In view of the need to release results to schools
in an orderly fashion, minimising uncertainty, we would want to
release results only when a complete set is available for the
great majority of schools. Ken Boston wrote to Jim Knight yesterday
to advise that a delay of a week to Tuesday 15 July in releasing
Key Stage 2 results to schools will give time to complete the
vast majority of marking.
For Key Stage 3 results, his advice is that
while results will take longer to be completed, there are strong
arguments for releasing the results available by the end of the
week of the 15 July, to ensure that as many schools as possible
receive results before term ends. Jim Knight and I agree with
his advice and I enclose a copy of our exchange of letters.[1]
The NAA continue to monitor the situation closely
and will make their best endeavours to release results to as many
schools as possible by the end of term. It is intervening actively
in the process of recovery and remains confident in the quality
of marking and the accuracy of data being received. The issue
is the speed of delivery for the release of results to schools.
This delay to releasing results to schools is
unsatisfactory and will inconvenience schools and headteachers.
This is clearly unacceptable.
Therefore, I can confirm that an independent
individual of national standing will chair an inquiry into these
matters. Regulation of the process of National Curriculum assessment
falls clearly within Ofqual's remit, and the inquiry will therefore
report directly to Ofqual on these matters.
There are additional matters that fall outside
Ofqual's remit, such as the responsibilities of the QCA and National
Assessment Agency for discharging the Department's remit to them,
into which I intend to ask the independent person to inquire and
report to me.
This process will ensure that the lessons from
the current year's difficulties are fully learned, so that schools
can have full and renewed confidence in the timely delivery of
test results in the coming years.
As you know, Jim Knight and I have provided
regular updates to your Committee and the House on issues relating
to QCA and Ofqual. Given the urgent operational need to inform
schools of the delay, the Department and the NAA will inform schools
and local authorities of these problems today.
I am copying this letter to Michael Gove and
David Laws and have placed a copy in both libraries of the House.
I will continue to update you and Parliament as this situation
develops. Jim Knight is also due to give evidence to your Committee
on Monday and will update you further.
July 2008
1 Not printed. Back
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