SCHOOLS should be allowed to delay the introduction of new Advanced Higher exams if they feel pupils will be disadvantaged, say teachers' leaders.
Teaching unions urged the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) to act because they believe new Advanced Highers are not designed to follow on from older Highers.
The concerns from the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) were raised as schools introduce a raft of new qualifications as part of the wider Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) reforms.
Teachers were told last year they could delay the introduction of new Highers and about one third of candidates took up the offer.
However, that means those pupils from this group who go on to sit Advanced Highers next year will be taking exams that are not designed to follow on from them.
Larry Flanagan, EIS general secretary, said the body would be holding talks with the SQA next month to discuss the issue.
He said: "We have agreed to raise this with the SQA and are asking that the same arrangements should apply for Advanced Higher as it did for Higher.
"The lack of articulation between the old Higher and the new Advanced Higher will vary from subject to subject, but where teachers feel there is a case to be made for protecting the students that should be allowed."
An SQA spokesman said: "The new Advanced Higher courses will be available in schools and colleges from next June as detailed in the implementation timetable agreed by the CfE management board.
"Candidates studying both the new and existing Highers this year should be able to progress into the new Advanced Higher courses in 2015."
Last week, the subject was under discussion at a meeting of the Scottish Parliament's education committee.
Scottish Education Secretary Michael Russell told MSPs he was open to discussion about the Advanced Higher and "flexibility".
He said: "We offer flexibility in the Higher as required by schools. In terms of Advanced Higher it is less likely that will be a major pressure, but if any school found itself in an impossible position we would be listening, as we always are.
"We do not think there is a need for dual running of the Advanced Higher as we have taken a lot of the pressure out of the system with the more flexible view of the Higher.
"The Advanced Higher is intense no matter which curriculum you follow. In those circumstances I think it is unlikely there would be the need, but I am always willing to have conversations."
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