The 2006 survey of social subjects (enquiry skills) and core skills

The 2006 social subjects (enquiry skills) and core skills survey was carried out in May and June of that year.

The survey:

• assessed a sample of pupils in P3, P5, P7 and S2 in a random sample of schools
• assessed social subjects (enquiry skills) and core skills (numeracy, use of ICT, working with others and problem solving)
• used written assessments - paper and pencil tests - to assess reading and numeracy, and practical assessments to assess aspects of social subjects (enquiry skills) and the other core skills
• asked teachers and pupils about their teaching and learning experiences
• gathered 5-14 performance data for each pupil in the survey for reading, writing, mathematics and social subjects.

Schools were asked to administer the written assessments and questionnaires and to complete a record sheet showing the level attained for reading, writing, mathematics and social subjects. Field officers, nominated by local authorities, carried out the practical assessments.

Assessment

Social subjects

For social subjects, the focus of the survey was enquiry skills, with particular emphasis on the strands, carrying out tasks and reviewing and reporting on tasks. The survey assessed these strands using written and practical assessments, including the use of ICT.

Core skills

For core skills, the focus of the survey was communication (reading and writing), numeracy, using ICT, working with others and problem solving.  Reading and numeracy were assessed through written tasks, whilst writing was assessed by asking schools to submit examples of pupils’ writing, produced as part of class work, for moderation. The other core skills were assessed in practical activities.