The 2008 SSA of Mathematics and Core Skills
The 2008 SSA will assess science mathematics and core skills. The survey will take place between April and June 2008.
The survey aims to find out what pupils in P3, P5, P7 and S2 know and can do in terms of using and understanding Mathematics. It will also assess class based writing and the assessment of the core skills of using ICT, problem solving and working with others.
The survey is designed to report on pupils’ overall performance at both the national and local authority levels. It will not report separately on either schools or individual pupils.
The SSA is a sample survey: it uses only a sample of schools and pupils across Scotland instead of assessing every pupil in every school.
Key stages and dates for the administration of the 2008 SSA
November 2007
In November 2007 schools randomly selected to take part in the survey received correspondence inviting them to take part and providing them with preliminary information.
February 2008
In February 2008 schools taking part in the survey received a letter providing further details about their involvement in the survey, including information about the pupil sample. The letter also told them whether or not they would be involved in the practical assessments and/or the submission of class-based writing. Included with the letter were the following items:
- Guidance for participating schools Booklet 1
- Letter for parents/carers
- Information sheet for parents/carers.
These are available for download from the documents download page.
Survey timetable – February 2008 to June 2008
| Action | SecondarySchools | PrimarySchools |
| Practical investigations arrive in schools | Late February 2008 | Late February 2008 |
| Schools carry out practical investigations | Late February – Mid April 2008 | Late February – Mid April 2008 |
| Schools receive the pupil sample and identify the pupils | March 2008 | March 2008 |
| Schools inform parents and finalise the pupil sample | March 2008 | March 2008 |
| Field officers contact schools to arrange dates for visit | Mid – end March 2008 | Mid – end March 2008 |
| Written assessment materials arrive in schools | w/b 14 April 2008 | w/b 5 May 2008 |
| Schools administer written assessments and questionnaires | 21 April – 23 May 2008 | 5 May – 6 June 2008 |
| Schools prepare class-based writing | 21 April – 23 May 2008 | 5 May – 6 June 2008 |
| Field officers visit selected schools | w/b 21 April – w/b 19 May 2008 | w/b 21 April – w/b 19 May 2008 |
| Schools complete the Pupil Record and Writing Record | 21 April 2008 – 23 May 2008 | 5 May 2008 – 6 June 2008 |
| All materials returned to SQA | By 28 May 2008 | By 11 June 2008 |
How to find out more about the SSA
You can find out more about the survey in the SSA section, including how pupils and schools are selected, how assessments are developed and help that can be given to pupils with additional support needs.