The Education Minister has moved to reassure English teachers by announcing a reduction in the amount of assessment in the new Higher Still English syllabus.
Speaking to a meeting of curriculum leaders, Brian Wilson said this would “bring the amount of internal assessment more into line with other subjects”.
The TES Scotland revealed a threatened revolt by teachers in the Edinburgh and Lothian area in October. More than 120 protested about an “already overcharged workload”, and warned of “dubious assessment methods” and a “lowering of standards”.
At least one of those issues is now being addressed with Mr Wilson’s announcement that the number of major internally assessed learning outcomes will be reduced from eight to six, which will alter the balance between internal and external assessment.
Addressing the Scottish Consultative Council on the Curriculum at its meeting in Paisley yesterday (Thursday), Mr Wilson said that while Higher Still assessment in English was no more burdensome than the existing Higher he recognised that English carried a heavier internal assessment load than other subjects.
