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 06 September 2008 03:08 BST

Sats result delays blamed on 'technical difficulties'

Friday, 04 Jul 2008 12:20
Sats test delay announced
Thousands of schoolchildren will not receive their Sat results on time, the government has announced.

"Technical issues" and incomplete exam paper marking have been blamed for the delay, leaving many students facing up to a week's delay before learning their Sat results.

A letter from schools secretary Ed Balls to Barry Sheerman, chairman of the Commons' children, schools and families select committee, reveals details of the "clearly unacceptable" delay.

Key stage two pupils had been due to receive their results on Tuesday but these will now be released on July 15th.

Key stage three pupils also face a week's delay from July 15th but officials may consider releasing those which are available by that date, given the looming summer holidays.

Commentators say a new computer system managing the results introduced earlier this year, run by US firm ETS, may be responsible.

Mr Balls has committed to an inquiry into the delay, to be led by an "independent individual of national standing".

At present 90 per cent of key stage two marks and levels are in the system while those for key stage three are "less close to being complete".

"In view of the need to release results to schools in an orderly fashion, minimising uncertainty, we would want to release results only when a complete set is available for the great majority of schools," Mr Balls explained in the letter.End of story


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