Assessment reform is a topic close to our hearts. Here at Edge, we have been working closely with a wide range of colleagues to press for reform of our assessment system in England via our open letters to the Secretary of State, as a founding member of the Rethinking Assessment movement, through our in-person conferences, and our support for the NEU’s newly formed All Party Parliamentary Group for assessment reform.
So, we are pleased to see the Scottish Government showing strong leadership by commissioning this independent review of qualifications and assessment. In her foreword, Professor Hayward highlights the importance of societies adapting their education system to meet new global challenges. She insists that “Scotland cannot be left behind”.
The report takes a refreshingly creative approach to improving Scotland’s qualification and assessment system and we are particularly pleased to see recommendations calling for:
- A significant reduction in external assessment
- Better integration of academic and vocational qualifications
- Recognition of a broader range of competencies and skills
- A greater focus on digital assessments
- The introduction of a Senior Phase Leaving Certificate
We are particularly inspired by the efforts made by the Review to engage with learners via the Scottish Youth Parliament and the Children’s Parliament, and with schools and colleges across Scotland. The voices of young people are powerful and they have a strong vision for what a more inclusive assessment system could look like. We have a duty to listen to them; they are after all our future teachers, designers, creators and leaders.
These recommendations align with our own vision for assessment and we look forward to reading the full report, which is expected in May.
Our four nations across the UK have been likened to an ideal ‘policy laboratory’ and there is an opportunity for considerable policy learning here. Following Scotland’s example, there is much we can learn from this report and we will continue to work with colleagues across the four nations to consider the future of assessment and qualification reform.
Here in England, the APPG for Schools, Learning and Assessment has launched an inquiry into assessment reform in England. See our response here. Please consider submitting your own evidence by emailing it to appg.schools@neu.org.uk by Friday 17 March.