School tests 'waste time and money'

Pressure is growing to scrap tests for younger children

National school tests are a waste of time and money, the author of a big survey has claimed.

A study in Worcestershire found little difference between pupils' national curriculum test results (often called Sats) and assessments made by their teachers.

The survey involved the test scores of 100,000 pupils between 1995 and 2002.

Two-thirds of pupils received identical scores from their teacher and their tests.

In just one in 100 cases, the difference between the two scores was equivalent to a whole level.

Children in England sit the national tests at seven, 11 and 14.

Study author Danny Durant, an education advisor for Worcestershire, says the similarity of the results means national tests are a waste of time and money.

"I think that the balance between tests and teachers' assessment is wrong.

"We spend a lot of money, time and effort on the tests and I don't think they tell us much more than is known by teachers through their normal work with children."

Boycott

The findings will lend support to campaigners who oppose testing children.

The National Union of Teachers is to ballot its members this winter on a boycott of tests for children at seven, 11 and 14.

Earlier this year, the Education Secretary Charles Clarke said there would be less emphasis on formal tests in primary school, although he insisted the tests were here to stay.

Teachers' assessments would be given more prominence from next year, he said.

A spokesman for the Department for Education and Skills said: "We are not going to return to the days when we have no rigorous ways of tracking pupils progress.

"Assessment is here to stay. It allows teachers to provide pupils with greater support and motivation.

"The government also recognises the valuable importance of teacher assessment.

"That is why we will introduce a trial from 2004 whereby the Key Stage one tasks and tests will underpin an overarching teacher judgement, rather than being reported separately."