Convener

*Stewart Maxwell (West Scotland) (SNP)

Deputy convener

*Siobhan McMahon (Central Scotland) (Lab)

Committee members

*George Adam (Paisley) (SNP)

*Colin Beattie (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP)

*Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP)

*Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Lab)

*Gordon MacDonald (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP)

*Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)

*Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con)

Committee substitutes

James Dornan (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP)

Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Lab)

Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (LD)

Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)

The following also participated:

Dr Alasdair Allan (Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland's Languages)

Douglas Ansdell (Scottish Government)

Afson Barekat (Scottish Government)

Angela Constance (Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning)

Councillor Michael Cook (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities)

Laura Meikle (Scottish Government)

Robert Nicol (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities)

Bruce Robertson OBE (Association of Directors of Education in Scotland)

John Stodter (Association of Directors of Education in Scotland)

Kit Wyeth (Scottish Government)

Clerk to the committee

Terry Shevlin