* Education minister Jack McConnell recently announced plans to move to a more uniform system of assessing children's attainment in pre-school using a standard recording procedure. Currently local authorities use their own systems for recording children's progress and pass information on to the primary school. Most systems are based on the teacher assessing by observation.
A spokesman for the Scottish Executive stressed, 'We are not going to move from observation to testing. We are looking at a more uniform system, but what we do will be in consultation with councils. We will probably move to one system that's the same across the country, leaving a degree of flexibility.'
Northern Ireland
* Baseline assessment was to be introduced from September 2001 on a statutory basis in Northern Ireland, but the launch has been shelved pending the outcome of two major education reviews.
A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment says the curriculum review is studying all aspects of the curriculum from early years to Key Stage 4. One proposal is that early years should be delivered according to the European model, with children not beginning formal education until the age of six or seven, which would negate a baseline assessment at age five. The second review, which is to be published soon, is focusing on the controversial issue of the 11+ school transfer test. Its proposals could have profound implications for early years and primary education.
During the autumn, ministers will consider both reviews and are not expected to announce until the new year whether they think schools should opt for the European model for early years or stay with the more traditional approach.
Wales
* This autumn baseline assessments will be conducted in Wales exactly as they have been over the past two years: an assessment is undertaken within seven weeks of a child starting in reception or Year One. There are 12 accredited schemes, but they contain a common core. While the status quo will be maintained this year, it is not clear what will be done in the future. A spokeswoman for the Qualification, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales says that no decision has been taken on what system to use in 2002. 'Looking at early years is a major topic but no policy decisions have been made yet.'
