Ed Balls speaks on the SATs fiasco

Ed Balls has made a statement in the House of Commons regarding SATs (or national curriculum tests) and the recent problems. Obviously he feels no need to apologise for what has happened, and he also doesn't seem to think that the debacle is his responsibility. However, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families does agree that he shares "the frustration and anger of teachers, children and parents about the delays in the release of this year’s test results." Good to hear that.

Most interestingly, Balls says that "It is important that we evaluate the case for change before making decisions. As I said to the Committee, the pilot runs to next July and is being externally evaluated. I have asked for an interim report in the autumn, and I will publish it to Parliament.

But, Mr Speaker, we must not return to the past situation where school accountability was weak, parents lacked good information about their child’s progress, and as a result many children fell behind in their education and development."

Here is the full statement. What do you think? Should Balls have called for a quicker enquiry and be seen to have taken more responsibility or has he done enough?

Statement on National Curriculum Tests

"Mr Speaker

I would like to update the House before it rises on the delivery of this year’s National Curriculum tests, following my appearance before the Select Committee last week and my letter to the Chair of the Select Committee yesterday.

I would like to provide an update to the House on five areas:

- progress on marking
- marking quality and appeals
- contractual discussions between QCA and ETS Europe
- the Sutherland inquiry
- and the future of National Curriculum tests.

I shall continue to update Parliament regularly over the recess. I will write weekly with an update to the Chair of the Select Committee, copying this letter to Opposition spokespeople and the Speaker and placing a copy of the letter in the library of both Houses.

First, marking. The first priority is to ensure that schools receive their 2008 results in an orderly way with the minimum of delay. This morning, in a written statement, I provided to the House the latest information that the QCA and ETS Europe have given me on results released to schools.

The total of scripts marked and released has now risen to over 98% of marks at Key Stage 2. At Key Stage 3, some 88% are now available: 94.1% in maths, 93.4% in science and 76.9% in English.

QCA and ETS Europe had committed that all schools would have received their marks on the 8th of July. They have both apologised to schools for this delay. I share the frustration and anger of teachers, children and parents about the delays in the release of this year’s test results. This should not have happened.

Second, on the issue of marking quality, I have been advised by Ofqual, the independent regulator of qualifications, exams and tests in England, that the quality of marking is at least as good as previous years and justifies the issuing of results. Ofqual have assured me that they continue to monitor the quality of the marking of the tests, will consider the evidence in relation to any problems that are brought to its attention, and will act accordingly. I shall continue to update Parliament on progress with Ofqual's work on marking quality. The QCA has extended the timetable for appeals to the 10 September or 10 days after the start of term, whichever is later.

Third, QCA have confirmed, in a statement over the weekend, that they are in contractual discussions with ETS Europe following these unacceptable delays. The QCA state that they are considering all available options to allow the timely conclusion of the work for the 2008 test series, and to secure a successful 2009 programme.

The contract with ETS Europe was drawn up and has been managed by QCA, at arms length from Ministers, to ensure the independence and objectivity of the testing regime. Any contractual discussions are legally a matter for the QCA and ETS Europe.

Those discussions are continuing. They are highly sensitive – commercially, legally and financially.

At this stage, it is very important and in the public interest that the QCA should be able to conclude these discussions in a timely, orderly and rigorous fashion in order to safeguard the interests of pupils, schools and taxpayers.

I am advised that Ministerial intervention or interference at this stage, including public statements intended to influence the outcome of these contractual discussions would be inappropriate and would jeopardise the public interest. In particular, it is very important that nothing is said to shift responsibility or redress from where it properly falls under the contract. I hope the House will understand why I cannot comment further at this stage.

Fourth, following the publication of the terms of reference last week, I can confirm to the House that Lord Sutherland has started work on his independent inquiry. It is important to allow an orderly completion of this year’s National Curriculum tests. So Lord Sutherland has told me that he intends to collect evidence in August and September before reporting publicly when the House returns in the Autumn.

The independent inquiry will look at all the issues surrounding the test delays, including the specification and procurement of the contract with ETS by QCA. This will include the role played by ministers and my department and the arms-length relationship between the QCA and ministers and departmental officials in this regard.

Finally, Mr Speaker, on the wider question of testing and assessment, I have welcomed the Select Committee’s recent report and its support for the principle of externally assessed national tests.

But, as I said to the Committee last week, the current testing and assessment regime is not set in stone. Indeed, in the Children’s Plan we highlighted the potential opportunities presented by our Making Good Progress pilot, involving 500 schools, where pupils are entering for single level tests when their teacher judges them to be ready.

It is important that we evaluate the case for change before making decisions. As I said to the Committee, the pilot runs to next July and is being externally evaluated. I have asked for an interim report in the autumn, and I will publish it to Parliament.

But, Mr Speaker, we must not return to the past situation where school accountability was weak, parents lacked good information about their child’s progress, and as a result many children fell behind in their education and development.

That is why it is so important that we complete the delivery of this year’s test results, ensure the delivery of the 2009 National Curriculum tests and secure public confidence that the system is being appropriately managed, regulated and scrutinised at arms length from the government.

I am determined that we learn the lessons of this year’s experience. I am confident that the work of Ofqual and Lord Sutherland will be of great value in this regard.

And I commend this statement to the House."

Comments

[John Gregory Flinn]

Balls is a fool.
He is out to say what he thinks parliament wants to hear as part of his careerist agenda.

[John Davison]

Caught with a knife, Balls junior said' it was not mine, Gordon asked me to hold it'