Make Assessment Measure Up

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) unite to call for an independent review of National Curriculum tests.

In a joint document, Make Assessment Measure Up, they say Key Stage tests do not drive up standards; they just cause additional stress for pupils, teachers and parents and are not reliable enough to be used for school league tables. Secondary schools know this, which is why they often retest pupils when they enter year 7. It is absurd to think that somehow a narrow set of tests can be used as a proxy for evaluating the success of schools.

We are not against assessment. What we want is meaningful assessment throughout school life. Assessment which is more accurate and focuses on what children can do, and what they need to learn next, rather than stigmatising them as failures for the things they can't do.

The ATL and NUT believe that parents can get the most accurate and up-to-date information from their child's teacher as tests do not assess children's achievement across the whole curriculum.

Mary Bousted, General Secretary of ATL, said;

"Politicians need to understand that no assessment system can work properly if it is used for the kind of high stakes currently attached to tests and exams. They also need to look at the evidence; pupils progress better when they receive regular feedback on their work. While rethinking assessment the government should also rethink school accountability and invest in developing teachers, which is the only sure route to better achievement all round."

Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said;

"The fact that members in schools boycotted the Key Stage 2 SATs this year, and that very many who didn't remain deeply opposed to the current high stakes testing system, is a very clear message to the Secretary of State. There is an opportunity to move forward on the basis of professionally acceptable assessment which will contribute to, not detract, from learning. I encourage the Secretary of State to seize that opportunity ."

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Contacts:

For further details please contact Caroline Cowie at the NUT press office on 0207 380 4706 or 07879 480 061.

For further information please contact the ATL press office on 0207 782 1589 or visit our website www.atl.org.uk.

Note to editors:

• The National Union of Teachers (NUT) is the largest teachers' union, recruiting only qualified teachers, or those who are on courses or in posts that will lead to teacher qualification. We are experts in education, providing high quality legal and professional advice, guidance and support.
• The NUT campaigns for a good local school for every child and for every community; equality of access to high quality education and; the status of qualified teachers to be recognised and valued both in salaries and conditions; the removal of excessive workload and better work-life balance; and of course an end to SATs and league tables.
• The NUT consistently campaigns for professional unity in the teaching profession. We believe that a single professional body, articulating the views of the profession, would benefit both children and teachers.
• The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) is an independent, registered trade union and professional association, representing approximately 160,000 teachers, headteachers, lecturers and support staff in maintained and independent nurseries, schools, sixth form, tertiary and further education colleges in the United Kingdom.
• ATL exists to help members, as their careers develop, through first rate research, advice, information and legal advice.
• ATL is affiliated to the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE) and Education International (EI). The union is a member of the Social Partnership - working with the UK Government, employers and other unions on education issues. ATL is not affiliated to any political party and seeks to work constructively with all the main political parties.