PIRLS 2006 Encyclopedia

PIRLS 2006 EncyclopediaStandardized TestsA wide variety of additional test materials, including standardized tests, are availablefrom commercial publishers. Some schools elect to use these to supplement informationfrom the mandatory tests. In addition, national optional tests in reading and writing areavailable for children at ages 8–9, 9–10, and 10–11, and are widely used.Monitoring Individual Student ProgressTeachers are expected to make regular assessments of students’ attainment using thenational curriculum-level descriptions. Shifting from a focus on summative, end of keystage assessments related to national education targets and performance league tables,attention is now being given to an assessment for learning, or formative assessment.Teachers report student assessment levels to parents alongside mandatory test resultsat the end of each key stage. In English, teachers assess children on each of the threeattainment targets, speaking and listening, reading, and writing. Teachers can elect to usecentrally produced optional tests in English and mathematics as a means of collectingfurther evidence to support their own assessments.In the first years of schooling, teachers frequently use a “home-school book” in whichteachers and parents can note reading progress to encourage reading practice at home.Schools must produce annual student reports that identify student progress and targetsfor the forthcoming year. These are sent to parents at the end of the school year.In a recent initiative, a substantial pilot is beginning in 10 local authorities usingindividual student-level data to closely track the progress of students and to offerexternally marked tests every 6 months for those students ready to take the next level.The government collects statistics that give an insight into the progress of schools, cohorts,and individuals over the course of their school careers.England120