Several organisations and groups are involved in managing the SSA. These are:
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is the body that has overall responsibility for the Scottish Survey of Achievement. Staff co-ordinate the efforts of other organisations to make sure that the SSA is run as smoothly as possible.
The Scottish Government also chairs the SSA Planning Group, comprising representatives of the Scottish Government, SQA, LTS, HMIE, local education authorities and higher education. The Planning Group has a general oversight of the survey. In reaching decisions about the scope and implementation of surveys, it takes advice from, amongst others, specially established reference groups. Reference groups are formed for each subject being assessed and for Gaelic. They are made up largely of teaching professionals, and also include representatives from local authorities, the Scottish Government and HMIE. They advise on materials, practical tests and questionnaires.
Learning and Teaching Scotland
Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS) has responsibility for producing questionnaires and analysing questionnaire results, organising reference groups, and co-ordinating field officers.
Scottish Qualifications Authority
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), with advice from external practitioners, develops the test papers and practical assessments for the SSA, and arranges for these to be distributed to schools. It is also responsible for training field officers, and for managing the moderation of classroom work submitted as part of the survey.
Local authorities
Each local authority co-ordinates aspects of running the SSA in its local area. These include nominating field officers and moderators, and deciding whether or not to opt for authority-level reporting.
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) is represented on the SSA Planning Group, and on the reference groups established for each survey.