REPORT CARDS
Report Cards
A new School Report Card could also reflect
a more rigorous analysis of achievement and
must measure
the valuable,
Measure
understanding. How the learner interacts with others,
what communication skills they are developing, and
more importantly, how the learner can become a
more effective contributing member of a cohesive and
inclusive society.
not just the
This can all be achieved if we take a smarter
measurable says David
Wright of the Chartered
the valuable
view of the way we assess learners, and also assess
the effectiveness of schools within a new smarter
accountability framework – a whole-child assessment
system.
Instilling in every individual a passion for learning,
a desire to achieve, and an aspiration to be an effective
Institute of Educational
member of an inclusive society must lie at the heart of
any new accountability framework.
Assessors
A whole-child assessment system is one way
to deliver this, underpinned by a reformed School
Report Card that measures the valuable, not just the
N A recent poll, more than 89 per cent of our measurable. SecEd
I
members feel that it is high time to re-appraise
the way schools are measured, as league tables • David Wright is the chief executive officer of the
do not rank and assess schools fairly. Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors.
The Chartered Institute of Educational Visit www.ciea.org.uk
Assessors (CIEA) works to improve the
quality of assessment in schools and colleges
by working with educational assessors to develop their
What CIEA members had to say
knowledge, understanding and capability in all aspects
The CIEA poll also found that 87 per cent of its
of educational testing and assessment.
members think league tables do not rank and
As head of the CIEA, I therefore take a very close
interest in the way schools are assessed and measured.
assess schools fairly
While there are many contentious issues surrounding
Meanwhile, 77 per cent say they would be
league tables, a frequent complaint is a lack of reliability in favour of scrapping school league tables
and consistency in the current system.
altogether.
Although the tables may appear to offer parents
Comments made about the current league table
objective data with which to compare schools and
make an informed decision about where to send their
system included:
children, many respondents feel this is a misnomer as
“League tables are too simplistic. They do not
the data is often unreliable. measure value-added and are unfair on those
Despite including contextual value-added
teachers who work in very challenging schools.”
information, members feel that the tables miss out
“Should we not be trying to assess the school’s
other vital aspects of schools, such as the progress of
individual pupils.
impact on each individual, which would take more
The planned introduction of the new School Report
into consideration than academic performance
Card gives government an ideal opportunity to redress alone? Our students are unique individuals.”
shortcomings in the current league table system, and
“League tables add unnecessary pressure to
introduce a new accountability framework that takes
both teachers and pupils, thus removing the
a rounded view of the achievements and wellbeing of
the learner. achievements of the individual learner in a controlled of learning and what is still to be achieved, set within
enjoyment of teaching and learning.”
In this way a “whole-child” assessment system is environment over the longer-term, perhaps through key a systematic, rigorous and thorough analysis of their
“League tables have been a barrier to progress
needed that assesses their educational achievements stages and not just at the end of the key stage. accomplishments that extends beyond the core subjects and they tell only part of the story about any
alongside their own personal wellbeing. Whole-child assessment would measure the of English and maths to encompass other subject areas
school.”
Such an assessment system would look at the valuable – what the learner has achieved over a period along with measures of personal wellbeing.
Notes and jottings Psycho babble
Lump in the throat stuff Planning – for what?
I’M AT the Royal Albert Hall at the Schools Proms So the government has decided not to allow the use AS MOST teachers will probably admit, the process it’s a good idea to have goal B set up as well. Remind
revelling in the achievements of thousands of our of IGCSE in state schools in compulsory subjects of lesson planning is worthwhile, even if it is overly students that goals must be made personally – or it’s
musically inclined children and teenagers – as I because it “lacks rigour”. Did I hear that right? bureaucratic. Students often see teachers going off not a goal. It must be within their power to make it
did again, later in the same week, when I heard, at Surely it’s the rigour of IGCSE which is attracting for planning sessions and it’s worth considering that happen through their own actions, and it has to be
St Andrew’s Church Holborn, dozens of talented independent schools to it in droves? Time for a look this activity does plant a seed in their minds: things something they have a realistic chance of achieving.
youngsters drawn from the diverse family of eight at the syllabuses and past papers. don’t just “happen”; they are plotted and organised. Planning for the future, both tomorrow, next
secondary schools owned or sponsored by The The University of Cambridge International With the “mocks” and module examinations week and a few years from now is not wasted
Haberdashers’ Company. Examinations (CIE) 2007 maths papers are full of coming up, it’s a good time to attempt to instil a little time. Research shows that kids who develop
Anyway, back in the lofty Albert Hall, which challenging factorising, equations, percentages and organisation in students, and encourage them to do organisational skills early in their career are better at
is almost full of parents, grandparents, siblings, calculations. I’m sure that any student who a little of their own planning. The obvious place to self-monitoring, are more motivated, perform better
school parties, supportive dignitaries from could do all that will have demonstrated start is to create a revision schedule for the holidays. academically, exhibit fewer behavioural problems
around the country and many more, 15 to mathematical adeptness. Encourage each subject teacher to break down the and lower levels of stress, and can manage their time
17-year-olds from Bents Green Special Or consider CIE’s English literature curriculum into manageable chunks that effectively.
School in Sheffield are playing a syllabus for 2010. It includes Richard take 20 minutes to revise. Provide each There’s an old adage that holds true here
piece called Rain Dance. And it’s III, Pride and Prejudice and lots of student with a calendar or notebook – kids who succeed have goals, and kids
lump in the throat stuff – special in Keats. And the questions asked that can be adapted for use as a diary, who have goals succeed. Tape it to your
every sense. are along the lines of “explore the and ask them to work out what they whiteboard, and let the message sink in.
Every Bents Green pupil is importance to the play of…”, so will revise and when. It’s worth noting that both goal-
statemented because of speech, that the student has to think and Encourage them to set reminder setting and organisational skills
language communication disorders reason for him or herself without alarms on their mobiles for the days are most successful when kids
or autism, but music – it’s a pitched too many spoon-feeding prompts. in question, so that there can be are encouraged to self-monitor
percussion group with lots of marimbas Whatever the government’s real no question of them forgetting. regularly, are given back-up and
– allows them to communicate. Rain objections to IGCSE, the argument Teaching a few study skills will support from key teachers, and
Dance is a moving, attractive piece which that it lacks rigour simply doesn’t make the whole process more learn to negotiate hurdles such
the group improvised around a composition hold up. When pushed, a spokesman effective, and don’t forget to factor as poorer-than-expected exam
by Alice Gomez in a workshop led by pointed out that you can do IGCSE in fun and rewards. results.
professional percussionist Chris Bradley English without doing Shakespeare. And don’t stop there! Kids It’s important to recognise
who is here with them tonight. Well shoot me down if you like, rarely see the benefit of hard work, achievement too, and to encourage
Another of the items – out of 47 but such a syllabus makes perfect particularly when it impinges students to celebrate meeting even
from all over the UK which performed sense to me. The place for Shakespeare on holiday time. And this is one the shortest-term goals. All kids,
over three evenings – that I really loved is in English literature (and drama, reason why it’s important to ensure whether they are disaffected or not, will
was a string group from Barock School in of course) and, although I believe that each of your students has some respond best to enthusiasm and praise.
Northampton. Its players are drawn from passionately that every student should do goals in place – long-term goals, short- Ultimately, goal-setting and organisation
schools around the area and the idea is to give some at some stage, I don’t think the works term goals, and some in the middle. can set kids on the path to achievement. Point out
them the opportunity to play repertoire they of the Bard sit well in English exams which Students should note down one or two to those who are on the road to nowhere that they
would not otherwise have access to. Tonight should, surely, be focusing on the student’s long-term goals. Ask them where they see do not, surely, want to have spent 11 years of their
they are wowing us with the first movement of own use and understanding of language? themselves in five years’ time. That can be the lives for nothing. If they have a reason for scraping
Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No 3. ultimate goal. Then ask them to work backwards that C, or reaching for the A-stars, they’ll be far more
And just before we leave matters musical, it really In another bit of Orwellian double-think, the and do a little research to find out what they need to likely to do so.
is inspirational to see and hear all those “Habs kids” government has announced that academies are do to get there. Goal-setting and teaching organisation skills used
working together – from phoenix-from-the-ashes to be eligible for charitable status. Yet this same Some students will undoubtedly want to be on to be a firm part of parenting. Where parents are
academies, well established independent schools, or government has been covertly trying for years to the pitch at Anfield or in Hello magazine. That’s fine falling short, however, we can pick up the reins and
former grammar schools now part of the mainstream wrest said status from independent schools. Either too. Just ask them to work out the steps involved in nudge students to higher levels. And there can be
maintained sector. schools can act as charities or they can’t. You cannot attaining that goal, and what lies beyond. no doubt that all of us – students and teachers alike
Musically they mesh perfectly, especially in The have it both ways, Mr Balls. Help them understand that for goals to be – will reap the benefits.
Glory of the Lord from Messiah at the end. A great effective tools for achievement, they have to be
leveller. Happy birthday, Mr Handel, the 250th • Susan Elkin is a freelance education journalist and SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic • Karen Sullivan is a bestselling author, psychologist
anniversary of whose death the concert is marking. former teacher. and timely), so if their goal doesn’t fit that criteria, and childcare expert. She returns in January.
SecEd • December 3 2009 7
07-english.indd 7 30/11/09 11:21:01
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