Failing the exam test

Jul 8 2008 by Andrew Baldwin, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

SATS cause an unbelievable amount of stress to children. They’re put in a very formal situation and worry for weeks beforehand.

Now comes the news that thousands of youngsters will get test results late following an administrative shambles.

The delay could mean many 11-year-old pupils will leave primary school without getting their end-of-junior school Sats results.

Secondary pupils – aged 14 – may also have to wait until next term to get their key stage three results.

It is a dramatic reversal of the knee-jerk statement made by Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, a few weeks ago that the tests would be marked on time.

He has now confirmed that an independent individual of national standing will chair an inquiry into the delay.

Yet again it is the Government side that has missed its targets, rather than schools.

The bottom line is that the National Assessment Agency and ETS Europe, the company contracted to carry out the marking, have shown gross incompetence.

If the rest of us didn’t hit targets at work severe questions would be asked. One being: Are you up to the job?

The suspicion now is that examiners are not going to read the essays properly in the rush to get results out. It would be better if they took their time to mark these papers and not worry about the deadline anymore.

What a fiasco. Mr Balls – already under fire over his expenses – has proved to be not such a golden boy any more.

He has presided over a nightmare.