Councillor Paul Godzik from the City of Edinburgh Council and Councillor Gary Robinson from Shetland Islands Council agree with Ms Primrose that the positive destinations must be sustained. 

Councillor Malcolm Cunning from Glasgow City Council says there are concerns about pupils going straight into unemployment.

Last November a report has questioned the Scottish government's ability to close the education attainment gap between rich and poor students. 

The Commission on School Reform's challenge paper was concerned the plan was "exceptionally ambitious" and the timescale may be "unrealistic".

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said improving attainment was a priority. 

Her government has committed more than £100m to help schools in the most disadvantaged areas.

In September, it was announced that a new system of national testing was to be introduced in primary schools as part of her new programme for government. 

The government has set out policy priorities with which few people will disagree. However, they are exceptionally ambitious. 

The Commission For School Reform was established by think tank Reform Scotland and the Centre for Scottish Public Policy.

It said: "While it is good to be ambitious, there is no evidence to suggest that what is being attempted is feasible."  

Councillor Stephanie Primrose from COSLA says outcomes should not be just about positive destinations they must be sustainable. 

Education Committee convener Stewart Maxwell gets us underway. 

The Education Committee, external will shortly take evidence on school spending and the educational attainment gap.

In the first evidence session MSPs take evidence from Councillor Stephanie Primrose and Robert Nicol from COSLA; Councillor Paul Godzik from the City of Edinburgh Council; Councillor Gary Robinson from Shetland Islands Council and Councillor Malcolm Cunnin and Ian Robertson from Glasgow City Council. 

Image source, bbc

The committee will then take evidence from Education Secretary Angela Constance.

The cabinet secretary will be joined by Bill Stitt and Fiona Robertson from the Scottish government and by Graeme Logan from Education Scotland.

It will be an extremely busy afternoon at Holyrood.

After topical questions, the first minister will give a statement on the fiscal framework negotiations, as John Swinney alluded to during his evidence session.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Then the Justice Committee will lead a debate on Scotland’s National Action Plan on Human Rights.

The Scottish government will lead a debate on the BBC Charter Renewal Process.

Following that, the Land and Building Transaction Tax (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill will be debated for the first time.

Decision time will be at the later than usual time of 6pm, or may be even later! We'll keep you updated.

Dennis Robertson will then lead a debate highlighting Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2016, external. 

Mr Robertson’s daughter Caroline died after battling anorexia and the SNP MSP has campaigned on the issue. 

Image source, bbc

Scottish Secretary David Mundell will give evidence to the Devolution Committee from 6.45pm.  

Devolution Committee convener Bruce Crawford thanks Mr Swinney for his evidence this morning and reminds us that Scottish Secretary David Mundell will be joining us by video conference this evening, from 6.45pm. 

Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone says is it not fair to say that the Scottish government built in plenty of room for compromise in its original position on welfare administration costs.

Mr Swinney says the UK government will contribute less than the DWP estimates for the start up costs. 

Devolution Committee convener Bruce Crawford says there has obviously been some compromise in the area of welfare administration costs.

The SNP MSP calls for more information on the issue.

The deputy first minister says he has been careful to say there is no change in the UK government's policy position on employability support and he is not keen to put numbers to it.

  "I have not got everything that I wanted out of this process."

 Ms Johnstone ask if the negotiations have been a positive experience.

"A positive experience?" laughs Mr Swinney.

"It's certainly been an experience, there's no doubt about that."

Green MSP Alison Johnstone asks about the implementation costs for devolved welfare powers.

Mr Swinney says an acceptable position on implementation costs for the welfare provisions has been reached.

Ms Fabiani says the Smith Commission stressed there should be no detriment to individuals due to the devolution of welfare powers.

Image source, PA

The deputy first minister says the latter clauses added to the Scotland Bill gave Scotland the necessary flexibility.

"We cannot give legislative consent to Scotland bill without an acceptable fiscal framework in place."

SNP MSP Linda Fabiani, who also sat on the Smith Commission, says neither the spirit or the substance of the commission have been met on block grant adjustment.

Has that been achieved on welfare, she asks.

Mr Swinney says the UK government has reduced the amount of funding for employment support which has been a serious concern.

He says he has not got all that he wanted on this issue but he is prepared to live with the position reached.

Devolution Committee convener Bruce Crawford says this committee cannot be in a position where it is rubber stamping the agreement and the Scotland Bill. 

Mr Scott says is this week make or break?

The deputy first minister says he has stressed that Holyrood must have enough time to scrutinise the fiscal framework negotiations.

He says it has been "profoundly uncomfortable" with the lack of scrutiny of this process.

Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott asks what happens if there is no agreement.

A difficult question, says Mr Swinney, the issue is most easily resolved by reaching a fiscal agreement.

The negotiations do not get easier with time, he says. 

A  phone rings and Mr Crawford says his fellow committee member Duncan McNeil says it might be David Cameron phoning. 

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan asks about requirements to bail out the Scottish government if necessary.

 "That is not terminology that I would recognise." Replies Mr Swinney, smiling.

Committee convener Bruce Crawford says future scrutiny is crucial and there are areas of agreements that already exists.

Mr Crawford asks how soon some of the information on those areas can be given to the committee.

Mr Swinney again says if he cannot resolve the block grant adjustment issue then he cannot bring part of an agreement to parliament.

"Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed."

He says if there is no agreement he will publish all the papers of the negotiations before the dissolution of parliament.