Key changes needed to curriculum for excellence, says OECD

Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) needs to be more ambitious to improve learning, an independent international review group has said.

The curriculum was developed over a number of years and is designed to provide a holistic approach to learning, with the final ‘senior phase’ exams introduced over the last two years for 16 to 18 year-olds.

A new independent policy review of Scottish education by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), published this morning, recognises good levels of attainment in Scotland compared to other countries and commends enthusiastic learners and inclusive schools.

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However, it also contains detailed recommendations including a greater amount of evaluation and a “strengthened middle” led by local authorities.

There is also support for the proposals to introduce standardised national testing.

The gap in attainment between the most and least deprived students persists, warns the report, and needs a “rigourous” strategy informed by evidence.

This would provide a new strengthened narrative for the Curriculum for Excellence, the report suggests.

Montserrat Gomendio, Deputy Director, OECD Directorate for Education and Skills, said:

“We applaud Scotland for having the foresight and patience to put such an ambitious reform as Curriculum for Excellence in place; we hope that our OECD review will help ensure that it will live up to its full potential and realise excellence and equity right across Scotland.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the Government wanted to deliver a “world class education system”.

“We broadly accept the report’s 12 recommendations as complementary to the work we are already doing through the National Improvement Framework and the Scottish Attainment Challenge. We will now lead the work with our partners in Scottish education to take forward these recommendations for the benefit of all of Scotland’s children.”

Cllr Stephanie Primrose, the Education, Children and Young People Spokesperson at councils umbrella body COSLA said the report showed an education system “at a crossroads” and presented an opportunity to build on success.

“In particular I’m struck by the importance which the OECD place on strengthening what they term the “middle”. While this is perhaps not a term we have used much within Scottish education, it clearly relates to the role of local authorities and their relationship with schools,” she said.

Teachers’ union the EIS welcomed the report. General secretary Larry Flanagan said: “The EIS believes that the key to successfully addressing the challenges highlighted in the report is positive partnership working between teachers, professional associations, local authority employers, the Scottish Government and other education bodies. Such a social partnership approach can deliver positive reform, as we work towards the common goal of improving both quality and equity in Scottish education.”

A follow-up review will be produced in 2018.