19 November 2004
The head of the national examinations agency has resigned over delays surrounding the marking of English tests for 14-year-olds.
Jonathan Ford, managing director of the National Assessment Authority, a division of exam watchdog the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, stood down from his post following the publication of a QCA report that criticised poor leadership and inadequate project management.
'The process – from the printing and distribution of the test materials through to the publication of electronic results – was badly flawed, causing significant concern and disruption in schools,' the report said.
The results of this year's Key Stage Three tests for English, expected in August, were published on November 17 because of a series of problems. These included the delayed delivery of papers to markers and difficulties with a website set up to check borderline results.
QCA chief executive Ken Boston apologised for the failure. 'It is clear from the review that we failed to carry out [our responsibilities] effectively in delivery of the 2004 Key Stage Three English national test,' he said.
'I give my personal commitment that QCA will take forward the recommendations to ensure that we have a smooth tests process in 2005.'
Schools minister David Miliband said it was vital to ensure that similar delays did not occur again.
The report also noted there was no reason to believe the validity of the test itself was in doubt. Boston added that he was confident that the results were an accurate reflection of pupil performance.
Miliband welcomed the results, which showed that 71% of pupils now achieve the expected level in Key Stage Three for English – a two percentage point increase on 2003.
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