|
|
 |
| |
Michael Rosen |
Children’s author attacks tests
FORMER children’s laureate and education campaigner Michael Rosen has called for a rethink of plans to introduce IQ-style testing of all primary schoolchildren in Camden.
Education chiefs insist the aptitude assessments for places at secondary schools will judge the potential of pupils rather than their knowledge. Children will be asked to unpack picture puzzle-type sequences in the tests, which the Town Hall insists cannot be revised for.
Mr Rosen, who is also campaigning for Sats tests to be scrapped, said: “Do not believe it when they say aptitude tests do not assess knowledge – it is not the case. If you are the son of a pilot and a question comes up about a picture of a plane, you will naturally do better because of your experience.
“If you live in a house with a garden and you are asked which object is a spade, you will have a better idea than someone who lives on an estate. The idea that the aptitude tests separate intelligence from experience is frankly rubbish and a lie.”
Education chiefs are polling opinion on plans for all primary schoolchildren to sit aptitude tests next September.
Based on the results, children would be put into ability pots divided equally between all schools.
Camden’s Conservative education chief Councillor Andrew Mennear said he had not heard of Mr Rosen, a regular visitor to Camden schools for class talks. But he added: “It seems strange to focus on the tests, because they are designed to make schools more comprehensive. They are not pass or fail.” |
 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
