17 May 2019

Almost 8 out of every 10 standardised tests sat by Primary 1 pupils were conducted in a single month, a new Freedom of Information request has revealed.

A total of 77% of both literacy and numeracy tests were carried out in March.

The figures make a mockery of John Swinney's claim that the tests should be taken when the teacher believes it is right for the child.

Scottish Labour's education spokesperson Iain Gray MSP said:

"The SNP standardised tests have been a shambles from beginning to end.

"The First Minister still insists they replace the previous survey to give national data, while John Swinney tells us they are diagnostic tests to support learning. They cannot be both.

"Mr Swinney also tells us the tests should be taken when the teacher believes it is right for the child.

"These figures show clearly that the tests are in fact being taken by the vast majority of children at the same time, blowing yet another hole in the government’s assertions about this botched reform.”



Back to previous page