John Swinney has issued a “thinly-veiled threat” to defy the Scottish Parliament if it voted to scrap controversial tests.
Opposition parties are trying to force ministers to drop standardised assessments for the youngest schoolchildren.
A vote is due to take place in Holyrood on Wednesday that is likely to inflict defeat on the government.
The Education Secretary warned the parliament it “has to be very careful that it doesn’t do anything that endangers” teachers’ ability to assess young people and make the right interventions.
Mr Swinney added: “As is well known parliamentary motions are not binding on the government, the only thing that is binding on the government is legislation.
“We will reflect on whatever parliament produces on Wednesday in the debate, but we will make a very strong evidenced argument for P1 standardised assessments.”
The Scottish Government says the tests are crucial for identifying issues early but critics, including teachers, say they distract from play-based learning and cause stress.
Iain Gray, the Labour MSP, said Mr Swinney is becoming “increasingly desperate” over P1 testing.
“John Swinney’s thinly-veiled threat to ignore the will of the Scottish Parliament on standardised tests will not deter Scottish Labour MSPs from standing up on Wednesday in support of teachers and parents,” he said.
