The APP approach to teacher assessment

Standing back Public view Close up Day- to-day PeriodicTransitional APP

Some misconceptions APP is not….. about QCA producing tests or tasks about collecting vast portfolios of written evidence a curriculum planning tool (although it does inform planning)

The APP materials Assessment guidelines - for assessing pupils’ work in relation to National Curriculum levels Standards files – annotated collections of pupils’ day-to-day work that exemplify national standards at different levels APP virtual handbook - to help teachers use the materials and implement the approach

How will APP help? It enables teachers to: use diagnostic information about pupils’ strengths and weaknesses to improve teaching, learning and pupils’ progress make reliable judgements related to national standards drawing on a wide range of evidence track pupils’ progress

How does APP work? Four simple steps: 1.Generate evidence from teaching 2.Review the evidence periodically 3.Make a judgement 4.Use information from APP

What are the benefits of using APP? It does not require special assessment activities It reduces the need to use tests and specific assessment activities It provides a valuable opportunity for professional development It provides a common language It directly informs discussions with pupils and future planning, teaching and learning It helps teachers identify gaps in their teaching

The Assessment Guidelines

Assessment focus – an area capturing the essence of the key concepts and key processes of the PoS Assessment criterion – a key diagnostic characteristic demonstrated at a particular level

Science assessment focuses (AFs) AF1 Thinking scientifically AF2 Understanding the applications and implications of science AF3 Communicating and collaborating in science AF4 Using investigative approaches AF5 Working critically with evidence

Next steps

Developing the materials Assessment guidelines – looking to further develop L1 and L2 criteria and suggest possible exemplification Standards files – producing 10 standards files covering L1 to L5 APP virtual handbook – to be developed… suggestions welcome! Further guidance and support?

Future developments Primary materials available (KS3 materials available from: ) APP standards pilot 2009 Dissemination and training – building capacity in the system