Background
The Committee is undertaking work on the central elements of its remit on an ongoing basis. This page will be updated to reflect the work done on Curriculum for Excellence.
2020
The Committee received a letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills which contains links to the 2021 National Improvement Framework and to the latest report from the international Council of Education Advisors.
The Committee received a letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills regarding the OECD review.
Curriculum and attainment trends
19 September 2018
The Committee held an evidence session on 19 September 2018 on curriculum and attainment trends following the 2018 exam diet.
The Committee heard evidence from a panel of academics and the SQA. The written submissions from the witnesses are below.
The Committee papers from the session are available here: Meeting papers 19 September 2018
A link to the Official Report of the session is available here.
The Committee received supplementary information from Dr Marina Shapira, this is noted below.
Following the session the Committee agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills seeking the Government's perspective on the evidence and also seeking details of any relevant work in this area.
The Committee Members also requested a summary of themes from the meeting of 19 September 2018.
The Committee has agreed to return to this issue in more detail in 2019.
2017
Performance and role of key public bodies
The Committee undertook an inquiry into the performance and role of a number of key public bodies including the SQA and Education Scotland. That work included the delivery of the Curriculum for Excellence.
Read more about the Committee's work on the performance and role of a number of key public bodies.
Evidence sessions
Scottish Qualifications Authority (September 2017)
The Committee heard evidence from the SQA on 13 September 2017. In advance of the meeting, the SQA provided a briefing paper for the Committee.
Education Scotland (April 2017)
On 26 April 2017, the Committee heard evidence from Education Scotland in relation to its response to the Committee's report on the Performance and Role of Key Public Bodies.
Curriculum for Excellence Management Board - 17 January 2017
On 18 January 2017, the Committee heard evidence on Curriculum for Excellence from the decision making bodies.
Oral Evidence
Written Evidence
2016
Scottish Government evidence - 2 November 2016
Stakeholder evidence - 28 September 2016
The Committee received written and oral evidence from stakeholders and experts.
Oral Evidence
Written Evidence
SPICe Briefings
Meetings and visits in Stirling - 30/31 August 2016
To inform the further planned evidence sessions in September and October the Committee undertook a number of meetings and visits in Stirling.
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills - 29 June 2016
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills gave evidence to the Committee on 29 June 2016. In advance of this meeting, the Convener wrote to the Cabinet Secretary asking for a written statement on the Scottish Government's plans for Education and Skills policy in Session 5.
Correspondence
The Convener wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills seeking further information on issues raised during the evidence session on 2 November. The Cabinet Secretary responded to this letter on 1 December 2016.
The Convener wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills on 7 October 2016 in advance of the Cabinet Secretary's evidence session on 2 November, seeking clarification in relation to key documents for the delivery of Curriculum for Excellence. The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills responded to this letter on 11 October 2016.
COSLA wrote to the Committee on the role of education authorities with information relating to ASN, early years provision, attainment gap, Scottish Government Governance Review, education spend, and the Audit Scotland report on Teacher Workforce Planning.
The Committee received a large number of submissions in relation to the SQA and Education Scotland as part of its work on public bodies. Following the conclusion of this work the Committee has continued to receive submissions and these are available below:
The Convener wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills highlighting specific issues arising from the Committee's session with the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board on 18 January 2017. The Cabinet Secretary responded on 2 March 2017.
Following the evidence session on 18 January 2017 with the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board, the Convener wrote to all mainstream state Scottish Secondary Schools, local authorities and Higher Education Institutions regarding the senior phase of Curriculum for Excellence.
COSLA wrote to the Committee following the evidence session with the CfE Management Board with some points of clarification.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills wrote to the Convener to inform the Committee of guidance issued today on behalf the Assessment and National Qualifications Group in respect of changes to the National Qualifications.
Following the Committee meeting of 29 March 2017 the Convener wrote to the Chief Executive of the SQA for a clarification of points raised in the Performance and Role of Public Bodies report.
The following correspondence is related to National 5 and 4 courses/examinations.
The Committee received emails expressing concern about a new National 5 Computing Science qualification.
The Committee received a letter and report from the Association for Media Education in Scotland concerning the opportunities for Scottish school and college students to study media and film in Scotland
The Committee received a letter from a number of teachers who teach Media with concerns about the Higher Media qualification in 2017.
The Committee wrote to the SQA following up on a number of points raised in the evidence session on 13 September 2017. The Committee also wrote to the Auditor General for Scotland to highlight the SQA's will be refreshing its IT systems.
The Committee received a copy of a letter from Iain Aitken which he has written to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills regarding the implementation of new qualifications. The Committee has also written to the SQA for a response to the concerns raised by Iain Aitken.
The Committtee received a copy of a letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills to the Public Petitions Committee regarding improving literacy rates.
The Committee received a link to the SQA latest update newsletter on the Higher Course for 2018/19.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills wrote to the Converner regarding a review of the Scottish Standardised Assesments.
The Convener received a copy of a letter sent by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills regarding Standardised Assements and enclosing a copy of a joint letter from the Scottish Government and Association of Directors of Education.
The Committee received an update from the Royal Society for Edinburgh (RSE) regarding its Education Committees work programme.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills wrote to the Convener regarding the announcement on steps to strengthen the staus of National 4 qualifications.
The Convener wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills in relation to Education reforms in year transfers as part of the budget scrutiny.
Focus Groups and Surveys
2017