[sims] Grade Set Behaviour

[Spizzy01]

I'm trying to get my head around how values are determined in marksheets on aspects with specific grade sets attached.

 

For example, lets say I'm trying to calculate KS4 targets from KS2 APS...

 

Student A has a KS2 APS of 21, or a KS2 Fine Points value of 21.7. This means the points value of their KS4 target should be 39, or 39.7. AKA a grade D. However, our system is recognising it as a grade C since it's so close to the Grade C boundary, although I thought it only selected the grade after it passed it's points value within the Grade Set?

 

Another example..

 

Student B has a KS2 APS of 22.7, which normally would equate to a 'D' at KS4 since his APS mean's an average of a 3b at KS2. (It's very rare they would achieve a grade C) So to accommodate for this in our grade set I decided to change the value of a 'C' to 41 (This is fine as it only impacts on target grade values, the grade set isn't used for anything else). However, apparently when i change this in the grade set and hit calculate again (it should now calculate to a 'D' in the marksheet) it persists to be a 'C' grade. Even changing the points value of the C to 42 or 42.01 doesn't help. Nor does 43... I could likely go on!

 

Apparently updating the grade set (I've also deleted all past results for the KS4 aspect so it has nothing else to reference or go back to, it should be fresh data) does nothing. Has anyone experienced this before?

 

There is nothing worse than a system that appears to simply ignore anything you do, when you know it should normally work. As far as I know there is no way of performing or forcing an 'update' process for the marksheets to get the new grade set values (the aspect shows them as the new values also) so I'm completely lost on how to go about this now.

 

Here's an example of a marksheet (FYI)

 

 

The original aim was to get anything below a 24 to equal a 'D' target.. But now the aim is to simply get the marksheet to get the new values from the grade set.

 

Any ideas/help would be greatly appreciated!

Edited September 11, 2014 by Spizzy01

[vikpaw]

I'm assuming there are hidden cols which are doing the addition of points to make the target points, then your formula turns this into a lookup on the gradeset.

You're right the gradeset lookup should resort to the lowest level achieved, so if they are ordered correctly, it should stop at D until they have enough points for a C. Not sure why it was doing it wrong in your original example, but if you've updated the gradeset, you need to examine the column itself and check the gradeset it has. I can't remember exactly how you do it, but you can get properties and / or in the formula manually check it. You can either edit it there or you have to remove the column and re-add it, and it should pick up the new gradeset values.

Also, worth checking the date on the gradeset values, as they did have dates associated with them.

[Spizzy01]

Thanks for the reply Vikpaw.

 

I've made it so that the changes to the grade set take effect immediately/throughout the entire time as there is only one data within it which its the grade sets initial start date.

 

You are correct in that it does have hidden formulas to calculate the additional points, and then the columns you see simply convert those points to a grade. The hidden columns are review only and do not store data anywhere and the grade set for the KS4 Target within the template is the one i am editing, so it makes no sense at all!

 

Is there a patch in existence that 'refreshes' assessment and double-checks values within grade sets? I know there are similar patches for other areas of the system, just wondering if one was available for Assessment also...

 

We are currently mid-contract exchange in terms of our support unit and should be returning to the normal Capita support shortly, but until that happens we are somewhat 'in the dark'.

[vikpaw]

Just try opening the formula and looking at the column that has the gradeset. You should be able to see the values and I have a feeling a formula locks them in place.

You might try removing the column and rebuilding the formula.

[Spizzy01]

Oh my god, vikpaw you absolute legend!

 

That's exactly it... The formula is using the old values still.

 

Is there no way to update these aside from doing each one manually? The only reason I ask is because I have over 100 templates that will need this updating on...

[vikpaw]

Sorry I can't remember if there is a shortcut. It was either quicker to edit the value manually or rebuild the formula, depends on how much has changed.

 

There are new options for cloning columns/marksheets now aren't there ? Haven't played but it might be quicker to fix one and then clone .

 

Also we haven't resolved why the original gradeset was not working or is it that it was still using a very very old value for the D/C boundary.

[Spizzy01]

It'll be quicker to update each one manually instead of cloning the templates. I must admit I love the new cloning features, and if they had been in place a couple of months ago would have saved me hours of work. They'll be a great asset going forward.

 

And yes, updating the formulas in the columns fixes everything so it was just the fact the old values were still in place that the boundaries were not functioning as required.

 

Time to spend a few hours updating each one! Happy days!

[Spizzy01]

Further to the issue above, I have submitted a Change Request to Support.Net for the bulk-updating of grade set values in template formulas. If anyone would like to further promote this functionality the change request number (CR) is: 1409-1322933. Edited September 18, 2014 by Spizzy01

[vikpaw]

I do concur sir, Strongly +2'ed in your favour