THOUSANDS of S5 pupils and their parents have cause to be grateful to teachers who refused to run Higher Still courses this year because the courses were not ready or the resources available. Many courses have been run but have had problems because of the quantity of assessment.
Much class time now involves teaching to the test and repeating failed tests. The Scottish Qualifications Authority are powerlss to alter the assessment framework, which was set during Michael
Forsyth’s time in the Scottish Office.
Higher Still English courses, particularly Higher English itself, are still not nearly ready to be implemented. Another year’s delay for this course, and possibly other subjects, will be necessary.
Graham Dane
Member EIS education committee and candidate for vice-president
