School Data Updates

In implementing a new approach to assessment and tracking we must first weigh up our desire for data against any impact on workload. Sometimes those seemingly minor tweaks can produce a butterfly effect, placing huge demands on teachers’ time that are most likely disproportionate to any benefit gained from the data. Before embarking on a new […]

The DfE’s primary assessment consultation, which closes on the 22nd June, focuses on a number of aspects of statutory assessment but it really centres on the baseline, the point from which pupils’ progress to the end of KS2 will be measured. The DfE’s preferred option is to set the baseline at the beginning of the […]

I often use a race analogy to explain value added, to help people understand how we can measure progress without levels and why we don’t need to have data in the same format at either end. Here’s a simple example: Imagine you enter a 10k race, which is part of a series of 10k races […]

The issue of who is and who isn’t included in KS2 measures is still causing major headaches for many, which is understandable because it’s a bloody minefield. With SATS looming, and no doubt many senior leaders already thinking about those not so distant headline measures, I thought I’d attempt to provide some clarity. There is, […]

I recently attended the JUSCO (junior school collaboration) conference in Birmingham organised by Chris McDonald (@chrismcd53). It was a great day packed with interesting talks and heated debate; and if you had to use one word to sum up the feelings in the room it would have to be ‘frustration’. This feeling was perhaps best encapsulated […]

This has actually been a good month in the fight against data nonsense. First, we are hearing news from STA briefings that they are aware of the progress loophole of despair and intend to do something about it. What exactly they’ll do is anyone’s guess but i’m assuming a nominal score for HNM in cases […]

In almost every meeting I have in schools someone will at some point say one of the following: “Our tracking system isn’t really working out for us anymore” or “Our tracking system doesn’t do what we need it to do” or “It’s just levels really, isn’t it?” And this is often the main reason for […]

The purpose of this post is not to explain the mechanics and issues of the KS2 writing progress measure – I’ve already covered that in enough detail here – but I do want to offer a method to help schools counter the nonsense. Suffice to say, the measure is badly designed, imprecise, and has a habit of […]

“Confidence is a preference…..” Nice sentiment, Blur, but let’s be realistic: confidence is a threshold.  I get asked about confidence intervals a lot now. They’re everywhere – in the dashboard, RAISE, and FFT reports – and they are more in your face than ever before. We are now aware that these are the things that […]

An ex-colleague called me yesterday with a question about the similar schools measure in the performance tables. As we spoke I could feel that creeping uneasiness one experiences when confronted with something you really should know about but don’t. Cue delaying tactics (how’s the family? Good Christmas?) whilst frantically searching for the guidance on the […]