High-Stakes Assessment in England and Singapore

Abstract

Recent trends in federal and state testing policies have close parallels with policies enacted in England during the 1990s. However, rather than looking toward England for lessons learned, U.S. policy makers have tended to focus on the testing policies and practices of internationally high-performing Asian countries, especially Singapore. This article presents an overview of the English and Singaporean education systems, paying special attention to the highstakes assessment systems operating at the elementary level in both countries. The effects of these assessments on teachers and students are described and implications for U.S. educators outlined.