News

SQA has recently added to its collection of ESOL case studies which focus on learners who have achieved ESOL units and progressed on to further learning or work.

The Scottish Government has announced that the rights of children with additional support needs (ASN) and their parents are to be strengthened through changes to the Additional Support for Learning Act 2004.

In 2008, a small pilot project was undertaken under the auspices of the larger Skills for Work (SfW) programme exploring the possibility of providing computer assisted assessment in SfW courses. Electronic checklists and tests were produced in three subjects (Financial Services, Early Education and Childcare, and Construction Crafts) and released through an e-portfolio system.

The Scottish Government has announced two new appointments to the Board of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

Perthshire and Glasgow school pupils have provided a unique snapshot of today’s youth by taking part in the first study of its kind in Europe. The study, ‘Developmental Assets: A Profile of Your Youth’, was designed by the Search Institute in Minneapolis, who have surveyed over three million youngsters in North America during the last 15 years. Conducted by the Perth and Paisley branches of the YMCA, the results, which were unveiled at a conference in Perth last week, illustrate a wide range of the attitudes in today’s Scottish youngsters. The YMCA-commissioned study was completed by over 5000 pupils of mixed gender, aged between 12 and 17, within six schools in Perthshire and four in the Glasgow (Paisley) area.

Learning and Teaching Scotland has republished the early years version of the Assessment is for Learning (AifL) Self-Assessment Toolkit.

All pupils will receive free meals in the first three years of primary school, the Scottish Government has announced.

National Museums Scotland has launched an exciting new online learning resource Discover Celts and Romans at Birnie . Explore an Iron Age roundhouse, find a hoard of Roman coins and discover what life was like in north-east Scotland 2000 years ago.

HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) has published a special edition of its 'HMIe BRIeFING' newsletter on new approaches to inspection. From September 2008 onwards HMIE will introduce new changes to the inspection and review process.

'Technical Education - a portrait of current practice' is one in a series of portraits by HMIE, illustrating current practice in key aspects of the Scottish curriculum. The portrait series is a recent initiative by HMIE, flowing from the 'Improving Scottish Education' (ISE) report.

A new publication from the Scottish Government reports on the consultation exercise held between 9 May and 19 June 2008 on the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 - Amendment Bill 2008 .

The Scottish Government has recently published a number of documents related to looked after children, young people and care leavers.

This year, the FISAB (Financial Services Advisory Board) annual report showcased the resource 'On the Money' as an example of good practice in the field of financial education and corporate responsibility.

The 'On the Money' project has been recognised at a prestigious awards ceremony in Edinburgh.

The Scottish Qualifications Authority exam results for local authorities show that overall attainment in Scottish schools in 2007-08 was broadly similar to the levels attained in previous years.

These four regional events will reflect on what has been achieved locally and nationally to improve outcomes for looked after children, young people and care leavers.

Information on the SurvivorScotland website, designed to support survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Tha 37% de luchd-obrach Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd ag iarraidh Gàidhlig ionnsachadh gu ìre air choireigin, no airson eòlas a chur air a' chànan, a-rèir sgrùdadh a rinn a' Chomhairle fhèin.

Chaidh Boyd Robasdan ainmeachadh mar Stiùiriche ùr air Sabhal Mòr Ostaig an àite an t-Oll Tormod MacGilliosa a bhios a leigeil dheth a dhreuchd a dh'aithghearr.

Sky and its environmental charity partner Global Action Plan are launching the first of a number of schemes to encourage people to take small steps to reduce their impact on the environment. The Appetite for Action challenge, which launches to primary schools in the UK and Ireland this month, will give teachers access to a free, step-by-step interactive online resource of activities and materials to use with their pupils.

Tha an sianal ùr telebhisean, BBC Alba, ga chur air bhog a-nochd, Dihaoine 19 an t-Sultain 2008. Bidh e a' tòiseachadh air craoladh aig 9.00 f air Sky 168 agus Freesat 110. A-nochd, theid na prògraman a shealltainn air BBC2 cuideachd.

The Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum invites corporate parents, policy makers, service providers, managers, practitioners and young people to come together for its 10th anniversary annual conference in November.

The First Minister, Alex Salmond, officially opened the new purpose-built Donaldson's School in Linlithgow on Wednesday 17 September.

The Scottish Government has announced the publication of a new guide to implementing the nutritional requirements for food and drink in schools (Scotland) regulations 2008.

The Scottish Government has published 'Pre-School and Childcare Statistics 2008' which presents new statistics on childcare centres and childminders registered with the Care Commission, and childcare centre staff.

The Scottish Government has published the results of research commissioned to inform its Early Years Framework.

Join the Cabinet Secretary in a live discussion this afternoon from 5.30pm until 5.55pm to exchange views, ask questions or share your experiences.

This guide will help school staff evaluate and improve the quality of the curriculum. It will be useful to staff in education authorities and national agencies involved in supporting Curriculum for Excellence and improvement through self-evaluation. It will be used by HMIE in evaluating the curriculum in all school and pre-school inspections.

This new document published by HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) supplements the advice given in ‘How good is our school?’ (HGIOS) third edition and ‘The Child at the Centre’ second edition which set out comprehensive quality frameworks and provided helpful advice on the process of improvement through self-evaluation.

The Scottish Government has published new resources to support people helping looked after children to do better in education.

The Scottish Government has published 'Positive Behaviour in the Early Years: Perceptions of Staff, Service Providers and Parents in Managing and Promoting Positive Behaviour in Early Years and Early Primary Settings'.