Written question asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Rooker (Labour) on Tuesday, 19 July 2005.

Northern Ireland: 11-plus Transfer Test

Question: Whether they have any proposals on the accountability of the design and administration of the 11-plus transfer test in Northern Ireland; and whether they will provide access to information that would permit technical analysis; and

Answer: Research undertaken and published in 2000 in a report Testing the Test identified concerns about the appropriateness and accuracy of the transfer tests for the purpose of predicting whether a child is suitable for a grammar school education. Government announced on 26 January 2004 that the last transfer tests will be held in autumn 2008.There are no plans to change the test specifications or the administration arrangements during this period nor are there any plans to make available information to enable a technical analysis of the tests.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 974; 673 c224-5WA
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Assessments Disclosure of information Accountability Admissions Northern Ireland Pupils Secondary education Transfer procedure tests
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk