Attainment gap for literacy narrows to lowest level.
The proportion of pupils achieving the expected level in literacy
and numeracy across primary and secondary schools has reached a
new high, officials figures show.
For numeracy, a record 80.3% of pupils across P1, P4 and P7
reached expected levels, while S3 also reached a new high
of 90.3%. For literacy, achievement is also now at a record
high in both primary (74%) and secondary (88.3%).
The attainment gap between young people from the most and least
deprived areas meeting standards in literacy has also reached a
new low, according to the latest Achievement of Curriculum for
Excellence levels 2023-24 (ACEL) statistics.
Education Secretary said:
"These figures demonstrate a clear rise in standards across
Scotland's primary and secondary schools under this Government. I
am grateful to all of our teachers and schools who have worked
incredibly hard to support children across the country to achieve
record high levels of literacy and numeracy.
"The Scottish Government has been consistently clear in its aim
to close the poverty-related attainment gap, which is why we are
investing £1 billion in the Scottish Attainment Challenge and
supporting the expansion of free school meals and breakfast
clubs. These figures show that this extra support for
disadvantaged pupils is having an impact with the attainment gap
in literacy at a record low level.
"We absolutely recognise that there is still work to be done, but
we should recognise the significant progress these figures
represent."
Background
The ACEL publication
presents the proportions of pupils who had achieved the expected
CfE Levels in Reading, Writing, Listening & Talking, Literacy
and Numeracy as at 10 June 2024. Figures are presented for P1,
P4, P7 and S3 pupils.
