Key Stage tests should be scrapped

The Daily Mail (Thurs 22nd March) reports that national key stage tests should be scrapped. The Government's exam watchdog, Dr Ken Boston, said that only a sample group of pupils need take the exams - perhaps as few as 3 per cent - to give a picture of national standards. He also suggests that pupils' progress should be measured by less rigid assessments in English, maths and science which would be marked internally by teachers. These tests, which could be taken online, would be taken when the children are ready, rather than at fixed points during their school careers.

Dr Boston also proposes that school league tables should be abolished.

I'm not sure who Dr Boston is, and how much influence he holds, but he seems to talk a lot of sense! The pressure of performing for league tables encourages us all to revise and prepare for the test and so the children quite often perform beyond their ability. The tests indicate how good the children are at taking tests just as much as it indicates their ability in the subject.