Written Question · S1W-11436 · Session 1
Following the publication of the Deloitte and Touche report A Review into Exam Results Issues Concerning the Scottish Qualifications Author…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive, following the publication of the Deloitte and Touche report A Review into Exam Results Issues Concerning the Scottish Qualifications Authority on 3 November 2000, how it will monitor progress against the recommendations contained in the report.
The answer
Following the publication of the Deloitte and Touche report, I asked the SQA to prepare a formal compliance statement setting out how they intended to put the recommendations contained within the Deloitte and Touche report into practice. I am pleased to announce that SQA met the 20 November deadline which I imposed for submitting this compliance statement. Copies have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. no. 9806) and can also be downloaded from the Scottish Executive website.Following the publication of the Deloitte and Touche report, I also announced the formation of a ministerial review group, with stakeholder membership, to monitor progress against the recommendations of the report. Because of its importance, the group will have a ministerial rather than an official chair, the Deputy Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs, Nicol Stephen. I can also announce that the group will consist of representatives from the following stakeholders:Parents;
Teachers, including classroom and principal teachers;
Headteachers;
Secondary school students;
Education authorities;
Further education colleges, including students and the Association of Scottish Colleges;
Employers.
The group will be supported by officials of the SQA and the Scottish Executive Education Department. A major focus of the Deloitte and Touche report was the need for improved communication with centres and I particularly want the Ministerial Review Group to monitor progress against recommendations on this important issue.I am meeting the interim Chair, John Ward, and the interim Chief Executive, Bill Morton, of the SQA later today. I do not underestimate the scale of the challenges facing the new Chair and Chief Executive. The SQA need to concentrate on priority areas and I am pleased to announce today progress on three key issues: marker fees; internal assessment; and the design of the Scottish Qualifications Certificate.One of the key recommendations of the Deloitte and Touche report was to "re-evaluate the basis of remuneration of markers in the light of the experience of Diet 2000". Markers play a pivotal role within the exam process and I want to ensure that this year's difficulties do not have a negative effect on the recruitment of markers this year. Many teachers agree to marking as part of their own professional development and I want to encourage as many as possible to become involved. In response to these issues, the SQA has initiated a review of remuneration of markers which will report by Christmas. The Scottish Executive is actively participating in this project. I have made clear to the SQA that an increase in marker fees is desirable and that the Scottish Executive is prepared to assist financially to achieve this.The Deloitte and Touche report also contained recommendations on returns of internal assessment data. I have received many comments from teachers and other stakeholders about the process of submitting internal assessment returns to the SQA. I have pursued this as a matter of priority with the SQA and, following a meeting with the Scottish Executive on 17 November, the SQA has agreed to carry out a feasibility study with a view to implementing a simpler system of internal assessment returns from schools. Such a system would be based on the following:Schools would send to SQA the details of units for which they wished candidates to be entered.
As candidates took the units, the schools would record the results of these units on their own systems as they do at present.
In early May,
Teachers, including classroom and principal teachers;
Headteachers;
Secondary school students;
Education authorities;
Further education colleges, including students and the Association of Scottish Colleges;
Employers.
The group will be supported by officials of the SQA and the Scottish Executive Education Department. A major focus of the Deloitte and Touche report was the need for improved communication with centres and I particularly want the Ministerial Review Group to monitor progress against recommendations on this important issue.I am meeting the interim Chair, John Ward, and the interim Chief Executive, Bill Morton, of the SQA later today. I do not underestimate the scale of the challenges facing the new Chair and Chief Executive. The SQA need to concentrate on priority areas and I am pleased to announce today progress on three key issues: marker fees; internal assessment; and the design of the Scottish Qualifications Certificate.One of the key recommendations of the Deloitte and Touche report was to "re-evaluate the basis of remuneration of markers in the light of the experience of Diet 2000". Markers play a pivotal role within the exam process and I want to ensure that this year's difficulties do not have a negative effect on the recruitment of markers this year. Many teachers agree to marking as part of their own professional development and I want to encourage as many as possible to become involved. In response to these issues, the SQA has initiated a review of remuneration of markers which will report by Christmas. The Scottish Executive is actively participating in this project. I have made clear to the SQA that an increase in marker fees is desirable and that the Scottish Executive is prepared to assist financially to achieve this.The Deloitte and Touche report also contained recommendations on returns of internal assessment data. I have received many comments from teachers and other stakeholders about the process of submitting internal assessment returns to the SQA. I have pursued this as a matter of priority with the SQA and, following a meeting with the Scottish Executive on 17 November, the SQA has agreed to carry out a feasibility study with a view to implementing a simpler system of internal assessment returns from schools. Such a system would be based on the following:Schools would send to SQA the details of units for which they wished candidates to be entered.
As candidates took the units, the schools would record the results of these units on their own systems as they do at present.
In early May,
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S1W-11436 by reference.