Assessment Manager 7
SIMS Assessment Module
When schools determine which assessment data they wish to record, fitness for purpose, validity and reliability are issues. This may be especially important where different teachers are recording against the same aspect but may be assessing attainment in different ways or interpreting procedures in their own way.
Where schools use the Module to record statutory Teacher Assessment and Test/Task results, there may be a number of legitimate reasons why the two are different for some pupils. One reason could be that the pupil performed badly in the test situation and that the teacher assessment is a more valid, though less reliable, reflection of ability.
When pupils are ranked in relation to an aspect, they are being referenced in relation to the remainder of the pupils. Where the mean has been calculated, pupils’ attainment can be seen in relation to it.
Aspects can be identified in relation to curriculum objectives or other criteria, and pupils’ attainment of the objectives be recorded. The module can add and subtract decimals to two places. It can recognise the links between plants and animals and describe them using food chains, for example.
Historical data stored in the module will give evidence of individual progress over time. Such data can be used to inform parents about their child’s development and can be used for reviewing it with pupils.
This page contains information both on how to set up assessment in your school as well as a crib sheet to get you started.
