Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Iain Gray says that, in the face of stress caused to four and five year olds, more work for teachers and parents' concerns, the education secretary has just carried on.

"These tests do not command the confidence of teachers."

The Labour MSP asks how many schools have replaced the old and trusted diagnostics and how many have just added on the new tests.

Mr Gray asks: "Are these diagnostic assessments or are they monitoring standards because they cannot do both."

Mr Swinney replies the purpose of the standardised assessments is to identify difficulties in learning, whereas surveys can only give a general picture.

The education secretary wants to be confident that young people have access to an education system that has excellence and equity across Scotland.

According to this report from Tes Scotland, external, opposition politicians have been calling for the Scottish government to apologise to parents over a “misleading” email from a top civil servant stating they could not opt out of controversial national tests.

Last week Tes Scotland exclusively revealed that Graeme Logan, a deputy director in the Scottish government’s learning directorate, wrote to councils stating that parents did not have the right to opt out of new literacy and numeracy tests in P1, P4, P7 and S3, apart from in “exceptional circumstances”, external.

Mr Logan quoted advice from Solar (the Society of Local Authority Lawyers and Administrators in Scotland), external, stating: “Solar have advised us that parents don’t have the option to opt out of the assessments, explaining that all children...will participate.”

However, a spokesman for Solar has told The Herald newspaper that the body did not provide a view to the Scottish government on the controversial literacy and numeracy assessments, external.

Tory MSP Liz Smith says a letter issued last week to education directors suggested legal advice had been sought on the right of parents to withdraw children when that was not the case.

She asks if the cabinet secretary personally signed off on this letter.

Ms Smith also queries whether teachers will be free to decide if a class of pupils will sit an assessment.

Whether the tests will be used to measure the narrowing of the attainment gap is also questioned.

Mr Swinney says he did not sign off the letter but he takes full responsibility of it as a minister, stating an error was made.

The government expects the majority of pupils will undergo assessment at P1, P4, P7 and S3, though teachers can make a judgement on whether individual pupils take them, he explains.

On the attainment gap, Mr Swinney states teachers will use the assessments to make a judgement on pupils' progress but the results will not be used exclusively to assess the outcomes regarding the attainment gap.

Image source, Upstart Scotland

A campaign was launched in August to encourage parents to withdraw their children from new Primary 1 assessments.

Upstart Scotland produced special postcards for parents to hand in to schools.

The Scottish government said parents had no legal right to withdraw their children from the assessments.

But it added that schools do have discretion to decide whether children should take part.

Read more.

Image source, bbc

Mr Swinney says the letter on parental opt outs was sent in good faith.

The education secretary explains there must be a clear understanding of the benefits of the tests as they are not "high stake".

Children should not be prepared for the assessments and there is no pass or fail, he tells the chamber.

Mr Swinney says the user review will help refine and enhance the assessments.

Image source, PA

Changes to the controversial system of national assessments for Scottish school pupils were announced last week.

Ministers said questions which had caused "issues" for primary one pupils will be altered, and more advice will be offered to teachers.

Education Secretary John Swinney has also written an open letter to parents of P1 children, external in an attempt to allay fears over the assessments.

However, the EIS teachers' union said it still had "serious concerns".

Read more.

Mr Swinney confirms assessments will be available in Gaelic medium education later this academic year.

On the possibility of parents withdrawing children from assessments, the education secretary says tests are not provided for in legislation.

This means assessments are not compulsory, nor is there a legislative right to withdraw children from them, he explains.

Should any parents or carers have concerns about child participation, this should be discussed with individuals schools he states.

A child should not undertake an assessment if it is not in their best interest, the cabinet secretary adds.

Jamie McIvor
BBC Scotland education correspondent

Image source, Thinkstock

Scotland's largest teaching union is calling for national assessments for P1 pupils to be scrapped.

The assessments were introduced last year to gauge children's numeracy and literacy skills, but have been opposed by some teachers and politicians.

The EIS believes the tests are inappropriate and has warned of a boycott if matters do not improve.

The Scottish government says the tests are appropriate for five-year-olds and should be enjoyable for children.

BBC Scotland education correspondent Jamie McIvor answers some common questions on the assessments.

Education Secretary John Swinney begins by saying assessment is a key part of learning.

Mr Swinney points out almost all councils have been using standardised testing for a number of years.

The education secretary insists most councils already had assessments for pupils in P1.

The national assessments are simply a tool to provide this information to teachers and they are better aligned to the Curriculum for Excellence, explains Mr Swinney

Image source, bbc

Tests should not place children on any undue stress, he insists.

Many children in P1 enjoyed the experience, however there was clear feedback about concerns about the assessments, says Mr Swinney, but warns the EIS survey must be kept in context

He accepts this is the first year of the assessments and improvements can be made.

The minister details changes the government will make to the assessments to benefit pupils and teachers.

Labour MSP Jenny Marra asks about the decommissioning jobs created in Dundee in the last 12 months.

Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse says the Scottish government does not hold the figures requested, but has been supported various projects through Scottish Enterprise and the challenge fund.

Image source, bbc

Natural Environment Minister Mairi Gougeon replies that the government has considered the report which adds to the body of evidence that demands action.

Mr Finnie calls for the public energy company's HG to be in the Highlands, to which Ms Gougeon replies discussion can take place.

Green MSP John Finnie raises the Tyndall Centre and Uppsala University report, 'Quantifying the implications of the Paris Agreement: What role for Scotland?', and queries its implications for the economy.

Trade Minister Ivan McKee says a plan for exports, to be published by next spring, will set out a route map for boosting exports with the support of the new south of Scotland enterprise agency.

Ms Ballantyne questions support, expressing concern about limited options for SMEs.

Mr McKee points to export regional partnership pilots through SDI.

Tory MSP Michelle Ballantyne asks about promoting exports from the South Scotland region.

Image source, bbc

Derek Mackay replies ministers regularly meet retailers across Scotland, to discuss issues such as business rates and the economy.

Mr Bibby highlights the Paisely 2021 campaign, but says Paisely has not been immune to the retail slump.

He says the decision by Renfrewshire Council to hike up parking prices by 33% is the equivalent of "economic vandalism".

The minister calls for unity around promoting the economy around Paisley.

Labour MSP Neil Bibby asks about meetings with representatives of retailers in Renfrewshire.

The Edinburgh and south east Scotland city deal was formally signed off by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Prime Minister Theresa May in August.

The deal had been announced last year and will see the Scottish and UK governments each contribute £300m.

Local business and academic partners are expected to bring the total investment up to £1.2bn.

The funds will go towards scientific research on space, health sciences, agricultural technology and food and drink at five new "innovation hubs", as well as the creation of a new 1,000 seat concert hall.

Read more.

SNP MSP Colin Beattie queries how the Edinburgh and South East City Region Deal will help deliver inclusive economic growth across the region and benefit residents in Midlothian and Musselburgh.

Infrastructure Secretary Michael Matheson says the deal will be used the deliver new jobs, new homes and skills training across the region.

There will be direct investment in the areas the member mentioned, he adds.