National Curriculum Assessment: a research agenda*

Abstract The National Curriculum development programme has been a major area for research and development funding over the last 3 years. This paper argues that much of the money has been wasted and little has been learnt from the exercise. The paper outlines an agenda for research around the National Curriculum and its assessment focusing on the areas of criterion‐referenced assessment, performance assessment, organisation and pedagogy, learning hierarchies, the use of results and equal opportunities. It urges researchers to reverse the neglect of fundamental research.