A report examined the impact of devolution on diverging higher education policies. It called for better dialogue between ministers responsible for higher education from the four governments and for a more equitable formula for funding higher education across the United Kingdom.
Source: Alan Trench, Devolution and Higher Education: Impact and future trends, Universities UK (020 7419 5435)
Links: Report | UUK press release | UCU press release | Leicester University press release
Date: 2008-Dec
Researchers examined a pilot programme in Scotland that provided early positive pre-school experiences for vulnerable children. Parents in the programme showed improved parenting capacity compared with parents in the comparison group. Children in the pilot showed improved developmental outcomes: but comparison group children not in the pilot also showed improved outcomes.
Source: Lisa Woolfson and Julia King, Evaluation of the Extended Pre-school Provision for Vulnerable Two Year Olds Pilot Programme: Final Report, Scottish Government (web publication only)
Links: Report
Date: 2008-Dec
The Scottish Government began consultation on a number of options for improving student support in higher education. It said that it had earmarked £30 million in 2010-11 to begin the transition from loans to grants: but the consultation also considered other options, such as increasing the overall level of support for students.
Source: Supporting a Smarter Scotland: A consultation on supporting learners in higher education, Scottish Government (web publication only)
Links: Consultation document | SG press release | BBC report
Date: 2008-Dec
The Scottish Government began consultation on proposals to encourage more young people to stay in learning after they turned 16. It proposed improvements to the way in which the most vulnerable young people – learning in a community setting or with a third sector provider – were supported. It also proposed refocusing the support available to young people in school, college, and work-based learning towards those most in need.
Source: 16+ Learning Choices: First step activity and financial support, Scottish Government (web publication only)
Links: Consultation document | SG press release | BBC report
Date: 2008-Nov
An article examined trends in social class inequalities in young people's educational attainment and higher education entry between the mid-1980s and the end of the 1990s in England and Scotland. Scotland had higher educational attainment rates but also higher social class inequalities than England. Moreover, while in England social class inequalities at upper-secondary and tertiary level had declined over time, in Scotland no evidence of such a trend had been found.
Source: Cristina Iannelli, 'Expansion and social selection in education in England and Scotland', Oxford Review of Education, Volume 34 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2008-Apr
The Scottish Government announced that it would consult on changes to the national qualifications system for children, to take effect from 2009-10. A new general qualification would replace the standard grade and intermediate exam system, focusing strongly on the development of literacy and numeracy skills.
Source: Press release 24 April 2008, Scottish Government (0131 556 8400)
Links: SG press release | BBC report
Date: 2008-Apr
An audit report said that despite the fact that over the period 2000-2008 more than £5.2 billion would have been committed by the government and local councils to improving Scotland's school estate, about one-third of schools were reported to be still in poor condition. It was estimated that at existing rates it would take another 20 years to make all schools fit for purpose.
Source: Improving the School Estate, Audit Scotland for Accounts Commission and Auditor General (0131 477 1234)
Links: Report | Summary | Audit Scotland press release | BBC report
Date: 2008-Mar
Two linked reports examined trends in higher and further education participation in Scotland.
Source: Scottish Participation in Further and Higher Education 2001-02 to 2005-06, Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council (0131 313 6500) | Learning for All: Second update report on measures of success, Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council
Links: Report (1) | Report (2) | SFC press release
Date: 2008-Mar
A pilot scheme in Scotland, which involved developing new qualifications to give pupils skills for life and for the workplace, was found to have been well received by schools, colleges, teachers, and pupils; and to have raised the status of vocational learning.
Source: Thomas Spielhofer and Matthew Walker, Evaluation of Skills for Work Pilot Courses: Final Report, Scottish Government (web publication only)
Links: Report | Summary | SG press release
Date: 2008-Mar
