Assessment purpose and time points
It is important to consider the purpose underlying each assessment, and the timepoint(s) for assessing, when selecting the tools your school will use and when you will use them.
The Ministry are requesting schools to use standardised assessment tools twice a year. With the focus being on Literacy and Mathematics our PAT assessment suite has a range of tools you can use to support teaching and learning and monitor ākonga progress over time.
When deciding on twice-yearly assessments it is important to consider the purpose underlying each assessment timepoint, to ensure the use of the data is aligned with improving teaching and learning. As you decide on the purpose for the assessment(s) and time points, consider:
- monitoring progress over a four term or 12-month period
- the focus for each assessment time point EG:
- identifying concept strengths and next steps
- monitoring individual/cohort ākonga progress for target students
- monitoring evidence against annual plan goals
- providing a source of evidence for monitoring impact of kaiako professional learning.
- identifying the assessments that will be undertaken, ensuring a clear purpose for their use EG:
- baseline monitoring and tracking
- data for focused inquiry into the health of subject teaching
- subject focus - concepts and strategy uptake of ākonga
- school level review of progress and achievement.
The attached documents focus on PAT Mathematics/Pāngarau and PAT Pānui/Reading Comprehension and there are some examples that illustrate possible assessment scenarios, as prompts for decision making. At the moment, because of the scale score reporting, schools can make autonomous decisions and decide on the appropriate time points (terms) for assessments.
If you have need for further information or a facilitated strategic discussion that is customised to your school's needs please contact one of our Education Advisers: education.adviser@nzcer.org.nz