KS2 APS to KS4 Expected Score

[scoobymoo]

Hi everyoneI'm not sure if this is the correct forum to post but I’m wondering if anyone might be able to help me? I’ve recently taken up a data post at a secondary school. I have come from a data background but no prior schools knowledge or SIMS and I have not been left with a single piece of documentation – nothing, eek!!I am trying to calculate KS2 APS scores and KS4 expected scores for a couple of new pupils. I’ve found the formula – ((reading + writing)/2 +maths)/2. I’ve also been pointed towards the ready reckoner and the Key to Success website to get student data. However, because this is all new to me, I’m still getting a little confused so wondered if any kind folks could help me out with a couple of questions….1) When I download the xls data from the key to success website, I’m unsure of which fields I should be using! I can see Reading test levels and marks but only a mark for writing or is this the GPS?! I assume the maths is MATTOTMRK but I also have the test level. 2) If I were to put these results into the ready reckoner, the maths seems straightforward but how would I add reading and writing if one is a mark and the other is a level? 3) I have also just been given Maths and English test results for one student - Both level 5 – but if I were to put these into the ready reckoner, what level of points would I choose to get the test level 5? Is there an agreed methodology such as picking the lowest level of points? Apologies for all of the questions. I come from a data background where I’d be expected to be able to demonstrate how I’ve calculated a number with a consistent methodology and just picking a level 5 but having a big range within it makes me feel uneasy!! I would feel a lot better if I could at least find a consistent approach… but, I’m prob a bit sad really!4) Sooo, that’s the data bit. Now, how do I get it onto SIMs?! I guess I can create a marksheet? Or is there a template already set up for adding KS2 data for new pupils if there is no Crf available? At the moment I'm using various different marksheets that have been set up but it seems rather inefficient!Any help that anyone can provide would be so gratefully received! I’m going round in circles calculating things in different ways!!Thank you!!

[Banjo]

You’re going to have some fun!

 

It's only been the last 3 years that writing has been a TA or whole level (4 or 5 etc.) rather than a fine level (4b, 4a) based on a test and a mark value. This means if you are doing a lookup of writing marks to fine levels and then converting this into points this will only work for KS4. KS3 students you will have no marks for writing and the whole level will need converting 4 (4b) = 27 pts etc. This could mess your template up a little bit, but you if your clever you can do it all in one template without splitting KS3/KS4. Don't include GPS in the APS as the DfE don't include it.

 

For your KS4 students their overall KS2 measure that was used for them was Lv4+ in English and Maths, but the DfE split English into its two components of reading and writing and this will now apply to your KS3 students who won’t have an overall English level recorded against their name.

[tombry]

Welcome Scoobymoo,

 

I was in a similar spot as you 3 years ago (forever!).

 

I've found using the conversion sheets that the guy at Herts grid sets up to be fantastic for generating fine points scores (which is what I use to generate LoP numbers).

 

Index of /learning/assessment/data/documents

 

If you look down the listing you'll see the conversion sheets from 2008 on.

 

I also got used to pulling down the raw excel files from FFT (not sure if these are available in Aspire, but your school should still have access to their FFTLive data).

 

As there are "KS2 Validated" Assessments in SIMS, that you can't populate with that result set attached, I've also created aspects for all my sublevel categories, as well as my fine points scores.

 

I use those for my chance analysis (as I can populate the students that don't have any with an "N" and not affect anything real), as well as put them on all my marksheets - we don't always get KS2 data from other schools in the CTF transfers, so finding them myself has become a regular thing.

 

I don't tend to use the Ready Reckoners (although I am using the Progress 8 one), as we set our targets and expected levels of progress using FFT's Expected Progress/Better than Expected Progress targets across the school.

[scoobymoo]

Apologies for the delayed response - did I mention I'm part time too?! That's all very helpful advice - thank you so much! The documents are brilliant - night time reading sorted!! Thank you!

[scoobymoo]

That link is soooo helpful – thank you!!Can I just ask another quick question re calculating KS2 APS scores?At present, to calculate an English APS score, our data manager has taken both the Reading Mark and GPS Mark, calculated APS scores for both and then averaged them.Just looking at the fine point sheets that you have pointed me towards, I’m wondering if this is wrong? Should we in fact be taking the Writing test level, calculating an APS score for this and then averaging this and the Reading APS?Thank you!