The aim of the 2009 survey will be to provide national estimates of pupil attainment in reading and writing against 5 to 14 levels.  The survey will be a more streamlined version than usual, allowing resource and time to be spent on developing new materials and procedures for the first Curriculum for Excellence SSA in 2010,  whilst maintaining a presence for the SSA in the field.  The 2009 SSA will also be run as an ‘official statistic’. This effectively means that the survey is working towards inclusion in National Statistics and will be run based on the National Statistics Code of Practice.

The overall purpose of the SSA is to provide a national monitoring system that gives sound and comprehensive information about attainment which local authorities, schools and ministers can use for purposes of quality assurance, self evaluation and improvement, without negative impact on practice in schools.

How to find out more about the SSA

You can find out more about the survey in the SSA section, including how pupils and schools are selected, how assessments are developed and help that can be given to pupils with additional support needs.