National Testing Of Children

EDM number 218 in 1992-93, proposed by Gerry Steinberg on 09/06/1992.

That this House welcomes the consultation being offered by the Government for the review of arrangements for national testing in Scotland; notes the reports of the joint study by the National Union of Teachers and Leeds University into this year's Key Stage 1 SATs; is deeply concerned at the studies, finding that the tests are undermining children's concentration and the standard of work they produce, creating disruption in the classroom; recognises that if proposals similar to those in the Scottish Office consultation document were implemented in England and Wales, many of the problems caused by the SATs piloted in England and Wales over the last two years could be avoided; is concerned that if similar proposals are not introduced in England and Wales children there will be disadvantaged; and calls on the Government to undertake consultation in England and Wales to establish a system of assessment which commands the confidence of teachers and parents and which is fairer to all children.

This motion has been signed by a total of 141 MPs.