The Scottish Executive called for a national debate on the future of education to be held in the Scottish Parliament, March- July 2002. Major concerns of various Parliamentary committees included improved and equitable education, particularly for children with disabilities; accountability; and the development of a qualifications framework for…

Reviews some educational issues arising during the first year of the new Scottish Parliament. Discusses facility problems and funding needs of small rural schools, debate over what constitutes standards and which performance indicators should be included in legislation, proposed accountability structures for local education authorities, and the…

Describes the new Scottish Parliament's first education crisis: failure of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), which oversees the public examinations system, to make timely and correct awards to secondary students who sat exams. Discusses data processing problems, accountability and ministerial responsibility, communication issues,…