New school qualifications are likely to include tests for numeracy and literacy in third year, "general" grades and fewer exams in final years, early indications show.
New school qualifications are likely to include tests for numeracy and literacy in third year, "general" grades and fewer exams in final years, early indications show.
The findings are emerging from 1800 responses from young people, parents, councils, schools, colleges, universities and professional bodies to a Scottish Government consultation earlier this year on updating the country's education system.
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Education, said yesterday the wide range of views would now be analysed, but added: "There are a number of critical areas where it will be important to make early decisions and reduce uncertainty."
Under the so-called Curriculum for Excellence shake-up, Highers and Advanced Highers are expected to remain as the "gold standard", although some of the content will be changed. Standard Grade and Intermediate exams will be replaced by a new "general" qualification.
There will also be new awards for literacy and numeracy, and a Scottish Baccalaureate award could be made for S6 pupils studying science or languages.
Ms Hyslop said there was "a risk that if there is too much assessment, learners spend too much time being assessed and not enough time learning."
