Outrage over drop in Scottish literacy standards

LARGE numbers of Scottish children are failing to reach expected standards in reading and writing, a new survey revealed.

The study showed nearly all students were achieving as expected until P3, then showed performances starting to decline.

The figures revealed nearly two thirds of 14-year-olds were not reaching the expected standards in writing.

The Scottish Survey of Achievement (SSA) also showed more than a third of that age group was performing below standard in reading.

The report also found youngsters from deprived backgrounds performed around 20% lower than others.

North-east Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone branded the figures a “disgrace”.

He said: “Parents will be appalled to hear about these poor standards.

“All parents expect their children to be taught the basics such as reading and writing.

“It’s a disgrace that standards are being allowed to slip in this way. The Scottish Government has to take a large share of the blame for not doing more to improve literacy in schools.

“Ministers must come up with a plan to address these issues before we see a permanent decline in school standards.”

Scotland’s Education Minister Michael Russell admitted the survey showed there were “weaknesses”.

“We need the courage to confront those weaknesses. We must recognise where there are failures in the system and address those failings,” he said.

Mr Russell said the Government’s flagship Curriculum for Excellence would improve basic skills such as reading and writing.

The Scottish Government has also promised to introduce literacy and numeracy tests for all school-leavers.

awhitaker@ajl.co.uk