This article examines the implications of the shift, in England and Wales, from the previous National Curriculum assessment model based on the assessment of performance in relation to statements of attainment, to a model based on level descriptions founded on the recommendations of R. Dearing (1994). Both models reflect a common sense view that…

This paper explores the role of teachers in national assessment in England. The Education Reform Act of 1988 introduced a national curriculum for ages 5 to 16 together with a national assessment program for students at ages 7, 11, 14, and 16. The national assessment program is a crucial accompaniment to the national curriculum as the vehicle…

The National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies (NLS and NNS) represent a major government initiative to improve classroom practice and pupil learning in literacy and mathematics in primary schools across England. National targets were intended to increase the percentage of 11-year-olds reaching Level 4 in annual assessments for English and…

Introducing a British National Curriculum applicable to all students caused a dilemma for many teachers responsible for pupils with learning difficulties. Results of a questionnaire sent to senior teachers in schools for students with moderate learning difficulties in England and Wales show how schools structure the curriculum to enable equal…

Reproduces the National Society for Education in Art and Design's (NSEAD) response to the report, "Design and Technology for Ages 5 to 16." Comments on attainment targets and statements of attainment, programs of study, profile components and assessments, key issues, and implementation. (KM)

Compares the "standard English" that has been employed in the formation of the English National Curriculum with the way Norwegian has found its place in the "Monsterplan" ("monster" meaning pattern or guideline in Norwegian). Notes that Norway (which itself has been dominated by other cultures and languages for…

Current plans to use National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results to compare and rank states may lead to a perception of NAEP as a national achievement test representing a national curriculum. NAEP procedures should be reformulated to enhance curriculum coherence, instruction, and participation by local and state educators. (TJH)

Presents results of a curriculum innovation in a British inner-city school. Reports a revival of motivation and a successful educational experience for a group of students who had been expected to fail. Describes a program in which all students could participate in helping anyone they felt needed help. Discusses work experience, community service,…

Presents a study of ways in which teachers believe that their research promotes professional development and educational change. Identifies factors that promote and constrain change. Suggests that, for teacher research to effect change throughout a school, the school must value critical reflection on practice and the sharing of ideas. (SG)

British primary schools will change significantly if recent recommendations (concerning subject orientation and specialist approaches) are implemented. Key 2 curricular approaches are similar to those advocated for middle schools, but a middle school philosophy could only be sustained in schools of a certain size and with proper teacher…

Examines the appropriateness of a cut-off score derived from the Angoff procedure for a reading test in the United Kingdom. Shows that the recommended cut-off score is too low. Suggests ways that standard setting might draw on a range of information to produce appropriate and rationally defensible cut-off scores. (DSK)

The story of England's 1988 Education Reform Act is a sad account of a government's efforts to introduce educational innovations based on a political agenda. The result was teacher demoralization and at least 500 million pounds wasted on the national curriculum and its assessment. ERA's real aim was to encourage parental choice and open up…

Analyzes assessment policy and practice from a critical/poststructuralist perspective, focusing on two main aspects of everyday classroom discourse--speech acts and metaphor. The analysis reveals the existence of diverse discourses (antagonistic, behaviorist, and psychometric) densely congregated in (British) infant classrooms and complex in their…

This paper explores the discourse on nursery education in Great Britain. The provision of nursery education in the 1990s is in a vulnerable position, due to the changing nature of the family in society and to the lack of strong justification for its existence in the face of government intervention. A schism exists concerning the need for…

The 5-14 Development Programme is a major reform encompassing the whole of the curriculum, assessment, national testing and reporting for pupils 5- to 14 years of age in Scotland. To monitor the early years of implementation of the program, the Scottish Office Education and Industry Department (SOEID) commissioned a national evaluation with a…