One sub level of progress in YR2

[goinggoinggonegrey]

Have never been given cause for concern from school regarding ds2, his CT in both Reception and YR1 were always positive and voiced no concerns relating to his ability. He finished YR1 with level 2B for reading, writing and maths... so more than happy for him. He loves school and has a great attitude to learning.

To date his YR2 CT has never given any indication that she has any concerns so I was a bit when she gave me his projected end of YR2 levels... 2A's for everything. So only one sub level of progress in one year.

Now, if this is where he is that's fine, but I am concerned that his progress has stalled or slowed down and his CT has not raised this with me. I appreciate children will have spurts and maybe his was in YR1, but surely leaving a parent until nearly the end of a school year to pass on this info is wrong. I would have been more than happy to support him at home if she though he was struggling, but I'm now left feeling that that window of opportunity has gone.

Would you be concerned if this was your child and would you want to speak with the CT.

[redskybynight]

Ignore the level - do you think he has made progress this year?
It may well be that the Year 1 level was inflated, or that is delicately poised to jump to Level 3 and you'll see a big change next year (except that levels will be gone then, so you won't see it in levels!)

But yes, by all means see the class teacher, but not in a "why has he only gone up by 1 sublevel" sort of way.

[odyssey2001]

Have you asked what he was at the mid year? In my experience most children make more progress in the back half of the year but it can be in the first half. Maybe he was a 2b in January, having made 1 sublevel, and has since plateaued.

Saying that though, in my school, it is more common for children to make 2 or 3 sublevels progress in Year 2. Government expectations is 5 sublevels over years 1 and 2.

[goinggoinggonegrey]

I asked for levels at parents evening and CT didn't have them so sent them home... so no I don't know what they were at any stage this school year.

Since his levels were above average at the end of yr1 and he is coping with any homework etc. I've not concerned myself with chasing up levels throughout the year, I naively thought that if he wasn't on track to move up at least two sub levels the CT would let me know.

This is what concerns me more than the actual level really. It's ok saying ignore the levels but surely only one sub level of progress in one school year is cause for concern...no?

Why are parents not allowed to questions this... if someone in my department wasn't meeting expected targets, my MD would certainly want me to tell him what I was doing to rectify this...

[mrz]

Of course parents can question it.

[mrz]

I would ask what level the Y2 teacher assessed him as in September and does it agree with the Y1 teacher's assessment.
Having followed someone who grossly inflated levels it's a difficult place to be.

[goinggoinggonegrey]

Thanks I will ask the CT when I meet with her early next week.

Incidentally why would a YR1 teacher over inflate, surely nothing to gain as it must be pretty obvious when the children get to YR2 and the new CT would challenge the levels they came up with.

[proudmama2772]

It is possible the new teacher has simply taken a different view of your ds based on her initial assessment at the start of year 2 and doesn't believe he has the aptitude to reach the level 3 attainment. She has changed his targets from the prior and is planning to teach the level 2 topics.

or

They are using the new curriculum year guidelines instead of the old levels.

[ltk]

Grade inflation happens all the time. Teachers have to meet targets. Parents expect children to meet targets (As you do). You may have a combination of grade inflation inY1 and a Y2 teacher who does not inflate. You may have a child who is still performing above average but whose progress has slowed this year. He could be just shy of a L3. Talk to his teacher and s/he will explain.

[mrz]

to impress parents

for performance related targets

combination of previous two reasons

[plusonemore]

Ha ha

mrz you are spot on

I have similar issues as a yr2 teacher but usually with writing. What reading level/band were they at the end of y1?

[goinggoinggonegrey]

That's a possibility of course, still doesn't change the fact that she hasn't thought to talk to me and keep me updated.

As I said it matters not what level he is working at but I do expect the information I'm given to be accurate, or how else can we as parents put our trust in school. I'm now a very concerned parent that she has to meet with which could have been avoided by keeping me informed.

[goinggoinggonegrey]

Sorry that last post was in response to proudmamma...

[plusonemore]

Giving levels isn't easy, there are many factors involved. 2A is good for end of y2 but I think you are right to meet with the teacher. I wouldn't say you need to be concerned though. Also this is the last time you will get levels like this.

[mrz]

She probably isnt concerned as 2A is above expectations for the end of KS1.

have you not had any parental consultations since September?

[goinggoinggonegrey]

Wow who would want to be a YR2 CT if this is going on...

The funny thing is I've heard on the grapevine that his YR1 CT is moving up and will be his YR3 CT... should be interesting

[ltk]

2A at the end of Y2 is no cause for concern. Of course you should meet with her so that she can demonstrate to you how she has arrived at this level, and exactly what areas are holding him back from L3. But there is no need to go in blaming her for a perceived lack of progress. That might not be what is happening at all.

[goinggoinggonegrey]

I've only had parents evening and levels were not discussed, or requested by me since he finished YR1 on such good levels It didn't concern me. I won't be making that mistake again.

CT has never given any indication about slow progress/inflated levels etc. And it was all positive feedback at parents evening.

[odyssey2001]

The key issue is the two year progress. If he was a 1c at the beginning of Year 1 and a 2a now, he is exactly where he should be (with 5 sublevels progress). If he was one step below that (i.e. a w+/wa or whatever your school calls it), then that would be even better at 6 sublevels progress.

If the teacher is not prepared / unable to comment on how the 1 sublevel progress fits into his two year progress, then speak to their team leader. Someone will have the answer.

[goinggoinggonegrey]

ltk with respect where have I said that I'm laying any blame for levels at anyone's door! Nor have I said I am concerned about his level.

I've simply said that as a parent I do have the right to be kept informed about how my child is doing. Now clearly since he's only made 1 sub level of progress in one whole school year... then either [A] the YR1 CT has over inflated, [B] the YR2 CT is being over cautious. Or [C] ds is struggling.

As a parent I think I ought to be aware which one of those it is... don't you?

[proudmama2772]

As I said it matters not what level he is working at but I do expect the information I'm given to be accurate, or how else can we as parents put our trust in school

Sorry my post was so blunt. I am so glad they are getting rid of levels having been constantly getting different assessment from different schools. They are not accurate and precise as many would claim. They were a great way to deliver the curriculum in building blocks - but for assessment I can't see why the data yielded from them has ever been taken so seriously. I had a daughter change schools and actually immediately go up a level in numeracy 2b to 2a - usually new school sets my kids way backwards! It's a numbers game so they must have really felt old school underestimated her capability. I believe there are kids who could probably pass the level 3 - but the school decides not put them up for it. It is unfortunately way to subjective and Offsted generally expects the level 3 kids to achieve a minimum of level 5 in year 6.

My ds new school in year 3 - doesn't use the levels - yeah!. They are way ahead of the game from most schools and show you bulleted lists of objectives broken into 3s based on the Year Group expected achievements. they highlight specifically what she can do and still is struggling to achieve. It's one page - one snapshot dashboard view - and easy to understand for anyone who has ever passed a GCSE! I used to feel like the levels tried to treat parents like they were so thick they weren't entitled to any detailed info - by putting metrics into an unnecessarily confusing jargon.

[goinggoinggonegrey]

proudmamma no need for apologies, no bluntness detected from this end...

Your new school's set up sounds great, I've yet to have feedback from our what they are doing, hope it something similar...

[proudmama2772]

Also should have said - even if the school had been more forthcoming with level information ( and in this instance you can understand why they may want to brush it under the carpet and keep you blissfully ignorant)

I would take the level info as a grain of salt. I put more stock in how capable the child is of answering the level QCDA questions.

[proudmama2772]

Just happy to help someone else not have to endure the confusion I did and what really is going on.

I do feel sorry for teachers put into the position of explaining levels to parents.

[goinggoinggonegrey]

Thanks... very much appreciated