| Abstract: | The current proposals to introduce a National Curriculum in England and Wales are considered in relation to their possible implications for pupil assessment. A dominant theme in the policy announcements so far has been to relate the proposed National Curriculum to a system of ‘attainment targets’ and ‘benchmark tests’ for 7, 11, and 14 year olds. The paper focuses specifically on the concept of benchmark tests and explores some of the difficulties that may be encountered in implementing such an assessment system. Particular attention is paid to the implied characteristics of criterion‐referencing and differentiated assessment, and the extent to which the system might be able to incorporate these features. The possible impact of such an assessment system on teaching in schools is also considered, along with the role teachers might play in carrying out the benchmark testing. Finally an alternative basis for assessing a National Curriculum is put forward in an attempt to overcome what are seen as major weaknesses in the current proposals. |
