Scrap tests for under-16s?
The BBC is reporting on a Call to scrap tests for under-16s
Apparently the General Teaching Council (GTC) believes the tests are failing to raise standards and placing "added stress" on pupils, teachers and parents.
It's true that there are stresses - even though exams and tests are part of students' lives. The problem is that national tests have consequences for the schools and the schools can't help but put pressure on the kids.
But as my daughter said immediately she saw the news item: "what about those who take their GCSEs at 15?" - she was, herself, 15 when she took her GCSEs. I'm guessing they don't mean that though: they mean anyone under Year 11. But it pays to remember sometimes that children are as much as a year different in age during the same test. My son is a case in point - a whole year older than his sister (minus three weeks!) at each point - and how different his path through school is!
More people seem to want to delay school than to get children in ahead of their age, but as someone myself who was a "year ahead" (I was a September birthday too), I would like to see children grouped according to ability and maturity and not strictly by age.
What do you think?
Apparently the General Teaching Council (GTC) believes the tests are failing to raise standards and placing "added stress" on pupils, teachers and parents.
It's true that there are stresses - even though exams and tests are part of students' lives. The problem is that national tests have consequences for the schools and the schools can't help but put pressure on the kids.
But as my daughter said immediately she saw the news item: "what about those who take their GCSEs at 15?" - she was, herself, 15 when she took her GCSEs. I'm guessing they don't mean that though: they mean anyone under Year 11. But it pays to remember sometimes that children are as much as a year different in age during the same test. My son is a case in point - a whole year older than his sister (minus three weeks!) at each point - and how different his path through school is!
More people seem to want to delay school than to get children in ahead of their age, but as someone myself who was a "year ahead" (I was a September birthday too), I would like to see children grouped according to ability and maturity and not strictly by age.
What do you think?
Labels: ages, education, GCSEs, Kids on the Net, national tests, pupils, SATs, schools
posted by Helen Whitehead at
12:48 PM
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