Changes to SATs Tests?

According to today's Daily Mail, there is due to be a shake up of the national tests. Education Secretary Alan Johnson is proposing shorter, but more frequent, exams to prevent pupils coasting or falling behind.

This seems to be the government's usual way to 'raise standards' - give more tests.

The thing that really gripes me is that the report says, 'All youngsters would be expected to reach level five by the time they are 14.' In our school, over 50% of the children leave with level 5. Nationally, around about 75% leave with Level 4. Now why are they suggesting that children only need to move up 1 level by the time they are 14? This doesn't seem right to me. If a child makes an improvement of 2/3 of a level each year (like they ought to in primary school), then surely the target must be Level 6, not Level 5.

Are they suggesting that there is a dip in progress at KS3? Any thoughts?