[acs] Assessment Reporting

[Redwinegirl]

Hi all

 

We currently use CMIS and are looking at changing our reporting systems. We are looking at using the students Average Point Score at the end of KS2 and then assessing/monitoring the students against this - according to gov't stats students should improve 3 points a year. We are planning on doing a data capture each half term and having graphical reports so we may need to look at something else as a bolt on to the current system - don't want to spend my live in Spreadsheet City if something does this?

 

Thanks

 

Kay

[michael2k6]

There might be a bigger question to look at, you're going to collect the data.

Are you planning on using a markbook style system to generate a naturally acquired grade every half term with a markbook defined by each department and a common output grade or are you going to give the teachers an assessment template to complete every half term?

 

Once you've got that answered (or posted back if you already know) then I can make a few suggestions

 

Mike Sanderson

[tli]

Your planned assessment structure looks pretty standard and is in line what many schools do using versions of the standard KS3 and KS4 models. Typically, the model can use a baseline to generate annual targets based on whatever rules you want. The government expectation is 2 levels during KS3 which would equate to 4 points or 2 sublevels a year. For KS2 to KS4 the minimum expectation is 3 levels which can also be built into the KS4 Model.

 

I haven't come across anyone that has attempted to use graphical reports in CMIS but it is possible. In a form report, instead of adding an embedded list, you can add a 'list report graph'. Whether this would serve your purpose would depend very much on what you actually wanted to display on the report.

 

If a barchart is what you want, an alternate stragegy would be to use the 'inclusion condition' to display bars of various sizes as appropriate. This might give you what you want but, again, it would depend on what you needed.

 

It is always best to try to achieve everything within the MIS if you can. Using additional software and needing to export data to another system always causes hassle of some sort.

[Redwinegirl]

Thank you - everything is pretty much in the air - we would like to use a markbook style system if possible as we may be able to collect data more regularly from teachers. We would need to look at how parents can access this as at the moment we use assessment templates 3 times a year - which ePortal can cope with. It apparently can't cope with any more than that. We have been advised to use the APS and to collect more frequently to please OFSTED...so something has to change somewhere along the line.

Thanks Mike!

[Redwinegirl]

Thanks for this - have never looked at the graph part to be honest as I was told it didn't work. I might have a play tomorrow and see what it does.

Thanks!!!

[michael2k6]

Consider using document storage in ePortal / Facility. You could use a markbook style assessment for inputting, and then produce form reports in Facility which automatically save attached to the student record. As long as you've got the permissions and configuration correct, ePortal can then display these for parents as PDFs. Many people use this method of pushing information out now so you're not stuck with the format ePortal delivers the results in. It also means that the parents have something they can physically print ready in a nice format with your headed logo on etc, should they want to.