TEACHERS' leaders have issued a fresh warning over the introduction of standardised tests in Scotland.
The criticism came after it emerged that only 53 per cent of pupils met the government's expected standards in new tests in schools in England.
Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland, said, "The current furore over the 53 per cent pass rate demonstrates the chaos that ensues when standardised tests are allowed to rule over an education system.
"The unfortunate situation south of the border offers a very clear warning to Scotland about what not to do in relation to standardised testing.
"Unnecessary political interference in education and the imposition of target setting only serve to narrow pupil's educational experience and will do absolutely nothing to raise standards or tackle gaps in attainment."
Meanwhile, a freedom of information request has revealed that the Scottish Government received only a handful of pieces of written evidence ahead of announcing a return to national standardised testing in primary schools.
In the three months prior to the policy launch only four pieces of written evidence were received from only two education experts - Professor Louise Hayward, from Glasgow University, and Professor Sue Ellis, of Strathclyde University.
A Scottish Government spokesman told the CommonSpace news website: "The development of the draft National Improvement Framework has been informed by many discussions and meetings with education experts and interested parties including academics, teachers, parents, local authority representatives, directors of education, international experts and children and young people themselves.
"An extensive consultation and period of engagement has taken place to allow for those with an interest to provide their views and discuss the proposals in more detail."
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