Drop in end of year results Yr 3/Yr 2 - should I be worried?

[BarkingHarriet]

Hi, last year in her SAT's dd1 got 3's in reading, maths and science and a 2a in writing.

This year (the end of year 3) she's been assessed as 3c in science, 3a in reading, and 2a in maths and writing.

Has she really gone down? Or is the way they assess it between KS1 and KS2 different? I know she had a really bad start to the year, and didn't settle in her new class till about March. School haven't told us about any problems.

Should I have a word with school, or is it just one of those "blips"?

Thanks

[madwomanintheattic]

tis different.
i'm sure a teacher type will be along, but it's something to do with the way it is assessed, and the increased independence required for the ks2 criteria or something. quite common i think.

[Feenie]

No, the assessment system used would have to be the same assessment system used for the whole school - so a level 3 is the same across the board.

What I suspect has happened here is the school has reported the Y3 optional SAT level. This does not compare like with like - Y2 teacher assessment is built up from lots of sources of evidence, a very small part of which would be the tests, and Y3 optional SATs would be the first timed test that the children have ever done in their lives, hence the drop in attainment.

What the school should be reporting to allow you and them to measure true progress is a Y3 teacher assessment. This would give a truer picture of your child's performance on a day to day basis, not just in a 45 minute pressured snapshot.

You need to check what these levels refer to - tests, or teacher assessment. If they refer to teacher assessment, you need to be asking questions about your child's progress this year.

I am an Literacy and Assessment co-ordinator, and have taught extensively in Y2 and Y6. I am at home with my poorly pre-schooler today, which is why I am able to answer your query.

Hth.

[BarkingHarriet]

Thank you both of you I'll ask, then, Feenie

[Soups]

My year 3 child did timed tests for his Yr 3 optional SATs. His maths showed no improvement since his Yr 2 SATs his old school. I know that he has improved loads over the last year and so does his teacher. His problem seems to be that he wasn't any good at judging his timings per questions. All part of the learning experience I suppose ;)

Anyway at previous parents evenings I know that the teacher keeps on-going records on their progress in various areas. It's only going to be one method of recording progress at this school. So I'm not actually worried about his maths SAT showing no progress as such.

In some ways I prefer them to be doing it this way annually until the Yr 6 official SATs. At least it'll just be what they do in July, rather than a big shock !