Assessment

Leading Learning – Implementing Assessment Change

Throughout January more than 1,500 primary school leaders have been attending conferences aimed at understanding and implementing the assessment arrangements that accompany the revised Northern Ireland curriculum. 

Powerpoint Presentation

Leading Learning - Implementing Assessment Change Presentation

Frequently Asked Questions from the Assessment Conferences (8 January - 2 February 2007)

At the recent assessment conferences, attendees raised a number of issues.  We have collected together the key messages and responses to these questions below. 

• Levels of Progression
• InCAS
• Moderation/Quality Assurance
• Issues for the Department of Education

Levels of Progression

Most of the questions received about the Levels of Progression were asking for points to be clarified, so here are the key messages:

• The Levels of Progression are currently in initial draft format.

• Further consultations will be taking place with stakeholders in March/April 2007.

• The Levels of Progression are for:

• Communication across the curriculum;

• Using Maths across the curriculum;

• Using ICT across the curriculum;

• Levels of Progression will be used by teachers to assess the cross-curricular skills for Year 3 - Year 7 pupils in primary schools.

• Levels of Progression will be reported on from 2009/2010.

• Numbers to be sent to Education and Schools Authority (ESA)/Department of Education (DE).

• Statements to be communicated to parents in the Annual Pupil Profile Report.

• CCEA will be undertaking work with schools and the CEM centre at the University of Durham, to ascertain the correlation between the levels of progression and InCAS.

• Consultations and trials will be held with schools over the next 18 - 24 months to allow us to specify expected level attainments.

• Much will familiar in the new levels but they have been designed to fully meet the requirements of the Revised Curriculum.

• CCEA will be working with teachers in identifying types of evidence to use in making professional judgements.

• CCEa intends to work closely with teachers in relation to the introduction and use of the new levels, supporting teachers with guidance and exemplar assessment and materials through trails in primary and post-primary schools.

InCAS

 

1. Who has access to InCAS results?

The class teacher, parent/guardian, school principal and the school inspectorate (ETI).

 

2. How does the use of InCAS fit in with formative assessment approaches?

The information produced informs planning and supports learning and teaching.

 

3. Will finance/sub-cover be available for the completion of the InCAS assessments?

No.

 

4. Is information about individual learners made public in any way?

No, information about individual learners is confidential.

 

5. When will schools complete the diagnostic assessments?

Schools will complete the diagnostic assessments during the autumn term.

 

6. Will InCAS scores be included in the Annual Pupil Profile report?

No. 

 

7. When will parents receive the InCAS score?

Parents will receive this information only at the parent/teacher interview during the autumn term.

 

8. During 2007-2008 will schools pay to use InCAS assessments with their Year 5 learners?

No, DE will fund these assessments.

 

9. During 2007-2008, can schools use the InCAS assessments with learners who are not in Year 5?

Yes, but the school will have to pay for these.  The school will have to contact CEM to do this.

 

10. Will P1 and P2 teachers get InCAS training as well even though at present they will not need it?

The use of InCAS will not be statutory at Foundation Stage (Year 1 and Year 2).

There is therefore no training planned for these teachers. Online help will be available soon from www.nicurriculum.org.uk for any teacher who would like further information.

 

Moderation/Quality Assurance

1. How will Quality Assurance work?

This developmental work will form a major element of CCEA's work from April 2007. Trial schools will be involved initially, but information will be made available to schools as we proceed through the trialling process.

 

2. What do we do during the transition period?

Year 4 and Year 7 teachers will have to complete class record sheets in 2006/07, 2007/08 and 2008/09 school years. Sub-cover will continue to be provided for this but teachers do NOT have to:

• use AUs to confirm judgements;

• provide samples of work for moderation.

 

3. Are end of Key Stage assessments optional?

End of Key Stage Assessments arrangements are no longer statutory. Schools can opt to take part in the arrangements on a voluntary basis. The submission of portfolios and completion of Assessment Units is, therefore, voluntary.

 

The Department of Education does, however, expect to receive levels for each Year 4 and Year 7 pupil (reported through CCEA using the Class Assessment Records as in previous years). These levels can be based purely on teacher assessment or (if the school has decided to use the Assessment Units) based on teachers assessment supported by the use of Assessment Units.

 

Substitute cover will continue to be available on the same basis as before, ie, one day for teachers with up to 14 Year 4 or Year 7 pupils, two days for teachers with more than 15 or more Year 4 or Year 7 pupils.

Issues for the Department of Education

The following issues were raised at the conferences, but require decisions to be made by the Department of Education (DE). These have been passed on to DE’s Curriculum and Policy branch.

• Sub-cover for completion and parent meetings for Summary Pupil Profile Report (Year 7).
• Protocols for use of InCAS information.
• Communication.
• Sub-cover for assessment and reporting arrangements.