18 April 2007
The Chairman of the Education and Skills Select Committee, Barry Sheerman MP, and Cambridge Assessment are working together to deliver hard evidence to politicians on a range of issues. The first seminar will deal with the controversial subject of national assessment. The UK is thinking of changing its current system of Key Stage 2 and 3 tests. A number of alternative approaches, backed by research evidence, will be put forward. A vigorous debate is expected to follow.
The discussions will cover how to enhance teaching and learning; information for school accountability; and information on national standards to inform policy. The Cambridge Assessment Group's Director of Research, Sylvia Green, said: "Unless a new national assessment system delivers all three objectives, it will never be adopted by Government. We hope the seminar brings politicians and researchers together to solve the problems in a realistic way."