To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what representations were received by (a) his Department, (b) the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and (c) the National Assessment Agency on the arrangements for administration and marking of the key stage tests for 2008 in (i) 2006 and (ii) 2007; and if he will make a statement. (221790)

The Department received correspondence in 2006 and 2007 about aspects of the national curriculum tests but nothing specific to the administration and marking of Key Stage tests for 2008. Ministers meet with Teachers’ Unions on a regular basis, where national curriculum tests will feature on the agenda.

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is responsible for the development and administration of National Curriculum tests. The National Assessment Agency (NAA) administers the tests and manages the delivery contract, on QCA’s behalf. In 2006, NAA undertook a procurement exercise and received representations from prospective contractors. In both 2006 and 2007 the NAA received representations from schools, local authorities, parents and our social partners on a variety of matters about national curriculum tests.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) how many prospective markers for (a) key stage two and (b) key stage three failed the tests for marking quality at the (i) standardisation stage and (ii) monitoring stage in (A) science, (B) mathematics and (C) English in each year from 2005 to 2008; and if he will make a statement; (221791)

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is responsible for the development and administration of national curriculum tests. The National Assessment Agency (NAA) administers the tests and manages the delivery contract, on QCA’s behalf. David Gee, Managing Director of the NAA has written to the hon. Member and a copy of his letter has been placed in the Library.

Letter from David Gee, dated 4 October 2008:

The Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Ed Balls MP, has asked me to write to you about your recent questions (221791 & 221792)

Question 221791 To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many prospective key stage markers for (a) key stage two and (b) key stage three failed the tests for marking quality at the (i) standardisation stage and (ii) monitoring stage in (A) science, (B) mathematics and (C) English in each year from 2005 to 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Please find the information you require in the tables below:

Question 221792 To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many markers were employed to mark the key stage (a) two and (b) three tests in (i) English, (ii) mathematics and (iii) science in (A) 2006, (B) 2007 and (C) 2008; and if he will make a statement. Please find the information you require in the table below:

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what recent estimate he has made of the cost of the key stage two and key stage three tests in each year from 2004 to 2008; and if he will make a statement. (221793)

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is responsible for the development and administration of national curriculum tests. The National Assessment Agency (NAA) administers the tests and manages the delivery contract, on QCA's behalf. David Gee the managing director of the NAA has written to the hon. Member and a copy of his letter has been placed in the Library.

Letter from David Gee, dated 2 October 2008:

The Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon. Ed Balls MP, has asked me to write to you about the estimate he has made of the cost of the key stage two and key stage three tests in each year from 2004 to 2008 (221793)

The total costs for National Curriculum Tests for each subsequent financial year (April - March) are:

These figures include Test Development, Print and Distribution, Exam Marking and Data Collection, Test Administration and Maintaining Standards for Key Stage 1, 2 and 3 tests.

The figure for 2007-8 excludes the £19.5m refund and cancellation of £4.6m in additional invoices in QCA's favour, which was agreed as part of the settlement between QCA and ETS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) who in the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority was responsible for the negotiations with ETS for the contract to administer and mark the Key Stage 2 and 3 SATs; (222023)

The administration and marking of national curriculum tests is a function of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) that is delivered independently of Government. The National Assessment Agency (NAA) is responsible for the marking process. David Gee the Managing Director of the NAA has written to the hon. Member and a copy of his letters have been placed in the Library.

Letter from David Gee, dated 18 September 2008:

Parliamentary Question 222023

The Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Ed Balls MP, has asked me to write to you concerning your parliamentary question relating to who in the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority headed negotiations with ETS Europe for the contract to provide external marking and data collection services for key stage 2 & 3 national curriculum tests.

During 2006, the Senior Responsible Officer for the procurement was the NAA Operations Director. Various types of discussion were held with, and presentations given by, ETS and other suppliers during the competitive dialogue procurement process at which either the NAA Managing Director and/or the NAA Operations Director and the wider NAA team were present.

Letter from David Gee, dated 25 September 2008:

The Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Rt Hon Ed Balls, has asked me to write to you to answer parliamentary question 223072 about when the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority entered into contractual discussions with ETS Europe; and for how long these discussions are expected to continue.

These discussions commenced on the 8th July 2008 and were successfully concluded on 15th August 2008.