Education Minister Randy Horton has outlined the restructuring of his Ministry following recommendations in the Hopkins Report.

The Review of the Public Education System by UK Professor David Hopkins and his team called for "a thorough reconfiguration of the Ministry" to raise standards and accountability.

Mr. Horton said this had resulted in a new, "more hierarchical" structure, with three senior officials in the areas of: academic functions; monitoring and evaluating progress; and supporting business functions.

Each senior official is held "directly accountable for the success of the area" by the Chief Education Officer (CEO), who reports to the Permanent Secretary, the Board, and the Minister.

The Interim Education Board has outlined 'academic functions' as curriculum and assessment, learning support, and school improvement, leadership and professional development.

Monitoring and evaluating progress' involves accountability for meeting educational/performance standards, and monitoring principals. And 'Supporting business functions' relates to finance, human resources and facilities management to resource schools.

While the Chief Education Officer is empowered with ensuring accountability and delivery in the three areas, the Permanent Secretary's advisory role is also enhanced in the area of setting policy.

Mr. Horton told the House of Assembly on Friday: "A school-based management and accountability system has been shown to significantly improve student learning outcomes.

"Therefore, we have chosen to develop a system that provides real accountability for principals, teachers and students.

"Rigorous academic performance standards for students will be established and enforced, and each school will be measured against annual performance standards to determine academic growth of student."

From June this year, pupils in grades P3-S2 will be tested in reading, language arts, mathematics, science and social studies and there will be a resumption of a curriculum-based assessment system.

And in order to ensure accountability, each school will be evaluated and assigned a status based on student performance — with these results to be made public. Mr. Horton also announced that a curriculum audit will be commissioned by September, to review the extent to which teaching meets standards.

A Curriculum Development Protocol will also be established to review and develop curriculum standards and related documents.

For principals, the Interim Education Board is recommending establishing mentoring relationships with other principals. School leaders and 17 teachers are also taking part in the Literacy Collaborative — training on improving literacy in the nation's schools.

Mr. Horton set out a timeline for the Ministry to achieve its goals:

June 2008 — pilot curriculum tests, with standard-setting to take place during the summer;

June 2009 — first administration of curriculum tests, with results made available to the public;

June 2010 — first determination of schools' status and the rewards programme;

June 2011 — implementation of a "comprehensive accountability programme" with annual reporting to the public.

The Minister told fellow MPs: "A comprehensive plan for communicating with the public and the stakeholders has been developed.

"This communication plan includes production of pamphlets and other written materials, establishing various advisory groups and broadcasting a regular programme about education on the Government TV station.

"It is clear that the Interim Education Board is doing important and substantive work. All of its working groups are well advanced with their mandates, with most nearing completion.

"As we march towards completing the placement of our key personnel within the Ministry of Education and the Board of Education by the end of this school year, we look forward to beginning the new school year in September 2008 with our sights fixed on implementing a system that ensures that our young students receive a world class education that all of us can be proud of. Together, we can do it."