How to tell whether an external assessment system is right for your school

In September the Department for Education responded with the ‘Final Report of the Commission on Assessment without Levels’. The questions below come directly from this expert report, and are designed to help school leaders question assessment tools they have adopted.

We’ve answered these questions for schools interested in the summative assessment provided in Pearson Primary’s Progress and Assess tools and resources. These tools provide a series of six weekly progress tests in reading, maths and science, as well as marking guidance. The online space allows you to generate reporting.

Q: What do the assessment tools support? Be clear on what type of assessment you are carrying out and the purpose of gathering any data.
Progress and Assess provides in-school summative assessment of where children are against age-related expectations in reading, maths and science. These expectations are driven by the 2014 National Curriculum objectives. The reporting gives a view of children’s progress against the National Curriculum standard and from their starting points. Reporting can be shared with parents, senior leaders and teachers.