[sims] 9-1

[tben2505]

So there will be numerous subjects at GCSE this year for which 9-1 is the new grade in Year 10, but A*-U remains the grade for Year 11.

 

How are people reconciling this in terms of their aspects in SIMS?

 

Rather than adding new aspects for 9-1 (or indeed A*-U) - I was thinking of adjusting the gradeset to allow all A*-U and 9-1 at the same time, then phasing out the A*-U from the gradesets as and when (or better still use the versions within gradesets so it happens automatically)

 

What are others doing? The far reaching consequences of adding more aspects doesn't really bare thinking about from my point of view (multiple Individual reports, analysis sheets etc etc).

 

I'm aware there maybe validation issues where staff use A*-U when they should be using 9-1, or vice versa, for example - but I'd rather monitor that and keep on top of it than go through the rigmarole of changing loads of templates and reports?

 

Cheers all

 

T

[RootsSchImp]

Hi @tben2505,

 

I think you've put your finger on the issues here, it's a trade off between lots of work up front (creating aspects and adjusting templates and reports) vs more continuous work (monitoring staff data input). I think the issue comes down to how reliable and data savvy your teachers are, when I think back at some of my stone-meet-blood efforts to get some teachers put in marks, the thought of going back to them to say 'No not letters, numbers!' gives me the willies. But if your staff are generally on the level it should be fine.

 

Have you got lots of formulas in your templates? The changing points scores might mean they have to be adjusted anyway.

[CAM]

I'm sticking to separate aspects as I know staff will enter the wrong type of grade if I included both. I'll end up with half a subject with letter grades and the other half with numbers! Better to guard against mis-usage now.

[tben2505]

Argh yes there are lots - it's a nightmare - and I don't know what the Yellis is going to look like either so we'll have to wait and see!

I just wish govt would leave things alone instead of changing it all the time!

Cheers mate

T

[tben2505]

I think keeping an eye on the data will be a lot easier than changing multiple aspects, individual reports etc etc, then having to change them all back again when A*-U is phased out.

 

Explicitly defining to staff, the set of subjects which are 9-1, and which are still A*-U, per year group, per academic year, should be enough (!)

[Seb1780]

I've gone down the new aspects route; expecting everybody to remember every time that they are now on 9-1 is asking too much. Also, because we actually collect data in a third party application, we're used to having one or the other and not both.

 

EDIT: Also, I think you will find that you cannot phase out the A*-U options from the grade set when they're finished because as long as you have one child with that grade assigned to that aspect you will not be able to delete the grade from the grade set.

Edited September 27, 2016 by Seb1780
Afterthought

[tombry]

we're going with the new aspects as well - mainly for the reason @CAM suggests

[CAM]

I've gone down the new aspects route; expecting everybody to remember every time that they are now on 9-1 is asking too much. Also, because we actually collect data in a third party application, we're used to having one or the other and not both.

 

EDIT: Also, I think you will find that you cannot phase out the A*-U options from the grade set when they're finished because as long as you have one child with that grade assigned to that aspect you will not be able to delete the grade from the grade set.

 

You can create a new version in the gradeset which will preserve the historical grades.

[tben2505]

I've gone down the new aspects route; expecting everybody to remember every time that they are now on 9-1 is asking too much. Also, because we actually collect data in a third party application, we're used to having one or the other and not both.

 

EDIT: Also, I think you will find that you cannot phase out the A*-U options from the grade set when they're finished because as long as you have one child with that grade assigned to that aspect you will not be able to delete the grade from the grade set.

 

That's why I said I'd use versions (underrated and very powerful)

[PhilNeal]

I don't know enough detail on this so I have asked our product team to create an advice document. We already have aspects available to use and it would be better if these were used as we can help you more.