Unifying Aspects for Tracking Grids

[ggladman]

Hello

 

SIMS Aspect Names

 

I have inherited an historic system of marksheets whereby aspects were created and named by result set,i.e the aspect names are Year 8 Spring Exam, Year 8 Summer Exam, Year 9 Autumn exam and therefore there is only one realisation of each aspect, done in the appropriate result set. The grade set in each of these aspects is identical

 

Now for analysis using tracking grids, or result set analysis, ideally I would have the same aspect in several different result sets. So I essentially need to unify these aspect names and reapply in appropriate grade sets, but critically without losing the existing data. Is there a way of doing so? (This may of course be a bigger project as I am guessing many of the reports run by the school office are dependent on the old aspects, but that question for another day).

 

Many thanks in advance,

 

ggladman

[eean]

Hi,

You're right in your aim. What you want to have is one aspect called 'Maths Exam Grade' results tied to different Result Sets - Year 8 Spring, Year 8 Summer etc...

 

There are 3 (all unpleasant) ways of achieving this.

 

1. Use the SIMS Supplied Assessment Mapping Tool

Tools --> Performance --> Assessment --> Assessment Mapping Tool.

This will copy grades from any aspect and put them into a Capita Supplied Aspect. It seems quite good but, unfortunately, it will only let you paste the results into a Aspects/Grade Sets/Result Sets which have been supplied by Capita. I don't think that Capita Supply any 'exam' aspects for KS3 subjects - so it would mean putting grades into 'Teacher Assessment' level Tracking Progress Aspects. And you are locked into their Grade Sets so might be too inflexible in future - eg. if you want to create your own levelling system.

 

2. Use the Copy Results Tool.

Tools --> Performance --> Assessment --> System Utilities --> Results

This will let you copy results from one aspect to another. It only works if the source aspects are not assigned to a result set. So these are the steps you must make:

1. Detach a Result Set from a selection of results

2. Copy Results from the old aspect to the new aspect

3. Attach a result set to a selection of results.

 

You've got to be a bit careful about the sequence you do these things in, but I think this is your best bet. You could go into your old Year 7 Summer Aspect, and copy all the results into your new unified aspect. Those results should be the only results in that aspect without a result set, so then you can attach the 'Year 7 Summer' result set before moving onto the next set.

Note: On the wizard you can specify multiple criteria to 'find' the results you wish to attach a result set to e.g. Student Name, Result Date etc... You can leave these criteria blank (delete the from: and to: date) and it'll ignore the condition.

 

3. You could just do it in a marksheet. Put both old and new aspects into a marksheet then copy and paste from one to another. You'll need to be careful to change the group membership date and the result date to preserve data. Also, all the aspects will be tagged with your name not the person who inputted them originally.

 

All the ways are mundane. So create a chart to keep yourself on track, lock the door so no one disturbs you and have big jug of coffee at the ready!

[vikpaw]

I favour option 2, after a backup, and ideally do a large export of all the data marksheets to Excel first too.

[ggladman]

Hi and thanks eean, much appreciated.

 

Sounds like method 2 is indeed the way to go. Would this need to be done one marksheet at a time, I am presuming so as the new aspects will need to be in the marksheet template? Sorry if this is a basic question, I am a relative SIMS novice.

 

gg

[bobsmith]

Method 2 is all done "behind the scenes" no marksheets are involved in the process.

 

the menus required are found under tools - performance - assessment - system utilities

 

Try this on one set of aspects and check the whole thing over before moving on. It's all about being methodical and planning every move.

[vikpaw]

Method 2 is all done "behind the scenes" no marksheets are involved in the process.

 

the menus required are found under tools - performance - assessment - system utilities

 

Try this on one set of aspects and check the whole thing over before moving on. It's all about being methodical and planning every move.

When I mentioned marksheets, it was just with regards to backing up that way, in case it all goes wrong.