Teachers Call For Changes To Higher Still Assessments

A clear majority of Scottish teachers (59%) believe that Higher Still internal assessment has "not worked" in its first full year of implementation. At the same time, 60% support the introduction of Higher Still in principle.

These are the key findings of an independent investigation of teacher opinion on Higher Still, conducted by MORI on behalf of the EIS and SSTA, the results of which were announced today.

Commenting on the report, EIS general secretary Ronnie Smith said: "The report demonstrates an urgent need to reform Higher Still to make it workable. Teachers are deeply concerned by the way in which internal assessment has created significant workload problems for pupils (69%) and staff (84%), and has interfered with normal teaching and learning (68%)."

David Eaglesham, SSTA general secretary, said: "Teachers are committed to the Higher Still reforms but want to see a reduction in the excessive number of internal assessments and re-assessments which have been the main source of difficulty for both pupils and teachers."

The research shows that most teachers support internal assessment since it provides recognition for pupil achievement, short of a full course pass. It also motivates pupils to study. But a clear majority (60%) want to see a revised format. The main revisions teachers wish to see are:-

• removing the requirement to pass all units in order to gain a full course award
• reducing the number of internal unit assessments
• rescheduling assessments

There is also strong criticism by teachers of much of the quality and availability of material, including National Assessment Bank items, the logistical problems associated with the conduct of internal assessments, and the training made available to teachers.

A copy of the report will be sent to the Education Minister, Jack McConnell and its findings will inform the two unions' input to the ongoing ministerial review of the first full year of operation of Higher Still.

Mr Smith concluded:

"Given that 67% are sceptical that the Scottish Executive will pay attention to teachers' views, we very much hope the Minister will listen carefully to the profession this time round and engage constructively with the teachers' organisations in discussions on how best to make Higher Still fit for use in our schools and colleges."

Technical details

• The Educational Institute of Scotland has around 17,500 members employed in secondary schools and 4,500 members in Further Education colleges.
• The Scottish Secondary Teachers Association has around 8,500 members employed in secondary schools.
• The EIS and SSTA jointly commissioned MORI to survey attitudes to the Higher Still reforms and assessment regimes of secondary teachers and FE lecturers across a range of subjects.
• A total of 536 teachers and lecturers were surveyed and a smaller number participated in 6 focus groups. The research was conducted in the period 29 November 2000 to 5 January 2001.