Education system in need of surgery

You are right to describe the latest results of the Scottish Survey of Achievement as "shocking" (leader, 24 February). My immediate response was anger and frustration. These results, which reveal that six in ten pupils in S2 cannot read to the expected standard, confirm that the Scottish education system is in need of urgent and radical surgery.

The Trends in International Maths and Science Survey 2007 showed that Scottish pupils were ranked only average in science and below average in maths. Outperforming them were children from countries such as Latvia, Slovenia, Armenia and, significantly, England.

The new Education Secretary, Mike Russell, has not, as yet, shown he has the acumen, imagination or courage to tackle the serious problems that he acknowledges are in the system. Blind faith in Curriculum for Excellence (CfE), which is mistrusted by most teachers and many leading educationists, does nothing to inspire confidence.

When children are failing in the basics of reading and writing, it is the basics – not some politically correct mumbo-jumbo like CfE – that need to be addressed.

ARCHIE STIRLING

Craigarnhall

Bridge of Allan

The Scottish Survey of Achievement (your report, 24 February) is so hopelessly flawed in method, timing and range that its conclusions are invalid.

Pupils are tested in June, when they are already following their new third year timetable.

The tests are done at a time when many school trips are on, so the selection from pupils remaining is not representative of the whole cohort.

The testing is not done in class, in the usual classroom, with the usual teacher, as other tests are.

Pupils are expected to do a battery of tests lasting all morning. Normally they would not do more than a single level test on any one day.

The consequence of testing an unrepresentative group, in artificial and difficult test conditions, in different skills, after they have moved on from 5-14 to SGrade courses, is bound to produce inaccurate results.

Results of 5-14 tests of pupils in S2 are available in the schools from February. This would give a more reliable account of progress.

Less time spent on artificial and unreliable testing, and more on teaching and learning would benefit every child.

SUSAN FG FORDE

Main Street Scotlandwell, Kinross-shire