Meetings regarding reducing the prominence of exams in future qualifications and assessment models: FOI release

Information requested

1. What discussions has the cabinet secretary had with the Coalition for Racial Equality Rights and the Anti-Racism Education Programme regarding potential racial bias in teacher marked assessments?

2. What discussions has the cabinet secretary had with the Coalition for Racial Equality Rights and the Anti-Racism Education Programme? If so what was discussed?

3. What discussions has the cabinet secretary had regarding reducing the prominence of exams in future qualification and assessment models?

4. If discussions have taken place have they included safeguarding against the potential risk of racial bias in marking?

Response

What discussions has the cabinet secretary had with the Coalition for Racial Equality Rights and the Anti-Racism Education Programme regarding potential racial bias in teacher marked assessments?

The current Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills in her Ministerial capacity has had no discussions with the Coalition for Racial Equality Rights (CRER) or the Anti-Racism in Education Programme. You may wish to note that CRER are represented on the Scottish Government’s Anti- Racism in Education Programme and sit on the overarching Programme Board.

What discussions has the cabinet secretary had with the Coalition for Racial Equality Rights and the Anti-Racism Education Programme? If so what was discussed?

The current Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills in her Ministerial capacity has had no discussions with the Coalition for Racial Equality Rights (CRER) or the Anti-Racism in Education Programme. You may wish to note that CRER are represented on the Scottish Government’s Anti- Racism in Education Programme and sit on the overarching Programme Board.

What discussions has the cabinet secretary had regarding reducing the prominence of exams in future qualification and assessment models?

I wrote to you on 5 October seeking clarification regarding the nature of “discussions”. I did not receive a response but have chosen to interpret this request to mean “meetings”.

I can confirm that the issue of “Reducing the prominence of exams in future qualifications and assessment models” was discussed at the following meetings:

1. Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills meeting with David Middleton Chair, SQA and Fiona Robertson CEO, SQA, 8 March 2023
2. Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills meeting with Professor Louise Hayward, 26 April 2023
3. Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills meeting with Professor Louise Hayward, 19 June 2023
4. Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills meeting with officials in the Curriculum and Qualifications Division, Directorate for Education Reform, 29 August 2023
5. Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills meeting with Professor Graham Donaldson, 29 August 2023
6. Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills meeting with Senior Education Officer’s, Education Scotland, 14 September 2023
7. Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills meeting with David Middleton Chair, SQA and Fiona Robertson CEO, SQA, 14 September 2023

If discussions have taken place have they included safeguarding against the potential risk of racial bias in marking?

Cabinet Secretary discussions relating to “Reducing the prominence of exams in future qualifications and assessment models” have not involved a discussion of the potential of racial bias in marking. However, you may wish to be aware that officials are currently undertaking a range of impact assessments including an Equality Impact Assessment which considers the issues of bias in teacher and continuous assessment. These impact assessments are being used to support decision making in respect to possible changes to qualifications and assessment and will be published.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.