ABSTRACT
Teachers' estimates of the ability of Indian children were, incidentally, slightly less efficient than their estimates of English children's ability. Concerning tests of ability, many primary and secondary schools apply these to both minority ethnic groups and indigenous pupils alike. Of course the low performance of minority ethnic group pupils is an important factor in their placement in lower ability classes, particularly in the secondary schools where streaming is retained. Concerning tests of attainment many primary and proportionately less secondary schools have used these for minority ethnic group and indigenous pupils. The most popular tests have been English, Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning, with English tests being favored most. The Burt and Schonell Graded Word Reading Tests are popular and many schools have applied such tests at regular intervals e.g. annually or every six months. A group of West Indian children suspected by teachers to be slow learners were tested on the Wechler Verbal Intelligence Scale for Children.
