Improvements in reading

Wednesday, December 11, 2002

Improvements in reading, writing and numeracy in the early stages of primary school have been credited by minister for education and young people Cathy Jamieson to the early intervention programme, which has increased the numbers of classroom assistants. However, she pointed out that there are wide variations across Scotland. 'I know that while many schools are doing exceptionally well, others are not reaching the level of attainment parents should expect. That gap is unacceptable and must be closed,' Ms Jamieson said. The latest national survey of 5-14 attainment levels found that in P3, 95.1 per cent of pupils reached the appropriate standard in mathematics for their age, compared with 87.4 in reading and 84.6 in writing.