Why we need an honest assessment culture and how to create one. Simon Smith 05/11/16

Aims To clarify what we mean by honest assessment culture? Why? To look at key features of an honest assessment model? To explore barriers to honest assessment (I know mine do, you know yours?) To look at fundamental features of an honest assessment culture.

What is honest assessment? Internal – assessment that supports learners, allows effective planning for need. Allows schools to make most effective use of its resources External – Information that supports pupils in their transition from one phase to the next and ensures pupils make continued effective progress.

WHY?

Intelligent Assessment Better Planning Better Lessons! Measuring what matters and using the outcomes to improve teaching and learning Better lessons means: Improved differentiation Improved personalisation Targeted interventions Better teaching Better learning Could add ofsted perspective, anecdotal re- how the whole cycle links to impact on pupils How do we get the kids to work on what matters?

Empowered and valued teachers Teachers are free to be more creative with teaching and planning because they are focused on outcomes and the ‘best way to get there’ for every child Teachers will feel more valued as professionals as they are trusted and empowered to adapt their practice to deliver the agreed outcomes

Creates excellent teachers Trusted, empowered, informed teachers with complete clarity on the Head Teacher’s expectations and a detailed understanding of every child is a strong foundation to develop outstanding teachers and high attaining pupils With reflective time built in to a teacher’s week to discuss assessment, everyone learns from each other and a child has an optimum learning environment

Less marking Marking became part of the assessment process for the child, and teachers will no longer be marking for a third party audience There’s less of it. If the marking isn’t helping the child progress then question why you are doing it. The best way for children to make progress is if their work is corrected at the point of making the mistake. Feedback there and then, feeding forward Marking is only one way of providing feedback – talking works too! Less marking means more time to think about lesson planning, the approach they are going to take and the children that need attention Teachers can adapt their lessons in real time to be more challenging or scaled back

Change in the classroom model Teachers have a real focus on ‘what the learning is’ for specific children that day. Teachers can target their provision where it’s needed. They can start grouping children based on their ability of a specific learning objective that day. This makes learning more personal and effective.

‘If our assessment isn’t honest the only losers are children.’

What are the barriers to assessment? Part 1 Understanding what it is Not knowing how to do it Finding Time to engage Not prioritizing values/goals Finding time to document Getting support from top leadership Not using results to inform decision-making People who prefer anecdotal decision-making Academic Freedom

What are the barriers to honest assessment? Part 2 Internal (Barriers to Honesty) Performance Management Accountability Fear Lack of support Lack of moderation Poor CPD to develop understanding of Assessment system Targets set by Heads/SLT Use of systems and algorithms to decide whether pupils are there or not.

What are the barriers to honest assessment? Part 3 External (Barriers for schools) Ofsted Fear Raised expectations, ever changing goalposts Threat of academisation/ floors standards/ coasting schools DFE LA MAT League tables

How do we knock down the barriers (Internally) Remove culture of punitive accountability it doesn’t work Give staff time to assess Create culture that supports as well as challenges Don’t be obsessed by targets Talk about pupils all the time Use data to make a difference Build networks to secure your judgements Create culture where moderation/scrutiny is “done with” rather than “done to” Make it important

How do we get past the barriers (Externally) Not a clue!!! Ofsted Mythbusting document Work with other schools to develop confidence in your judgements Understand expectations Know your children Get teaching provision right Focus on progress

Assessment Key Questions (March 2015) Does it Improve Learning and Teaching? How does it accurately tell us about pupils How will we know? How can we make sure it is honest? Is it easy to use and understand? Does it improve Learning and Teaching? Who is the Key audience? (added May 2016 thanks @jpembroke)

Solutions Put children and their learning at the centre of assessment As SLT prioritise discussions about Learning Create systems that support discussions about pupils and then use info get provision right Moderate regularly with staff, ‘done with’, develop consensus Get rid of punitive accountability targets Create assessment trust Cry when you look at the SATs papers (only joking)