Parent demanding Teacher Assessment to be altered.

[CatKisser]

Can I ask how your school would deal with a parent believing their child had been given too low a TA grade on their year 6 report? (Level 5, but JUST achieved Level 6 in test)
Would they support your decision that given a year's worth of ongoing assessment, level 5 was an accurate judgement or would they agree to amend the result? (CAN you actually alter teacher assessments, come to that?)
Sorry for the vagueness, I would love nothing more than to type out the whole frustrating saga but had better not. Any comments would be appreciated, though.

[IsItFridayYetPlease]

Why do they want the result changing?

In my school the SLT may look at the child's work (and assessments) throughout the year. But once the levels have been submitted to the LA, etc. I don't think they can be changed.

My bottom line is - Isn't the answer that it is teacher assessment?! Not test or parent assessment? So unless there was a glaring great error in the teacher's ongoing assessment they should stand.

[Pooka]

I would hope the parent would be unable to make the teacher change the assessment.

Fwiw dd had a level 5 according to teaching assessment this year. Got 40/50 in the level 6 maths paper, so of course got that. I absolutely would not expect her TA grade to be changed. She had a good day in the test. She is comfortably a level 5a. It would be stretching it to state in TA that she is a secure level 6 yet.

[CatKisser]

Books have been scrutinised regularly over the course of the year, as well as since the complaint. The Head has backed up my decision and agrees with my judgement but asked me to meet with parent with all the child's books and explain my decision. I refused to do this due to her aggressive and confrontational manner.

She was unhappy because she believed I should have TA'd at a 6 - but I didnt feel he was a solid six, despite the fact he scraped it on the day.

I dunno - just feeling a bit down. After this complaint, her best pal "mysteriously" complained about similar issues and in all honesty it left a sour taste in my mouth for the end of the year.

[CatKisser]

I do appreciate your comments, pooka and Friday

[Pooka]

How rotten for you op. Glad that the head at least backed you up in your assessment.

Don't understand what purpose changing the TA would have.

[Pooka]

When do you break up? We break up tomorrow - hopefully you'll be shot of the stress ASAP.

If you have to communicate with her, would you write a letter or email simply stating something along the lines of: "pleased for dc that achieved a level 6 on test day, getting x when the threshold was y. Sure you appreciate that performance in a test is a snapshot of a child's attainment on that day, in that test. In reaching a level for the teacher assessment I took into account the work that dc has done in class over the course of the last year and it is my professional opinion that he is consistently and securely working at a level 5 at present. I am sure that he will make good progress at secondary school and in time will be securely and consistently working at a level 6." Blah blah blah.

Totally understand why you wouldn't want to engage with the parent though if she is being confrontational. I'd expect the head teacher to take on the discussion to be honest.

[CatKisser]

We've broken up, thankfully! I'm trying to put it all to the back of my mind but I must admit it's bothering me. That's a really well-worded letter - our Deputy actually wrote something very similar and sent it home on the last day.
I think the comment that stung most was, "you may as well know, he's essentially been bored for a year." I'm not the most organised person in the world but I bust a gut to be charismatic and engaging and make the lessons as interesting as possible. AGH, need to let this go!!

[GalaxyInMyPants]

I doubt he's been bored for a year. Not if he's consistently working at Lvl 5. Plus she doesn't sound like the sort of mother who would let it slide for a year if she thought her ds was bored.

I imagine she's lashing out and wanted to hurt you and coming up with all sorts of stuff.

Is she worrying he won't be in the top sets at secondary school or something?

I'd forget it and enjoy the summer.

[TheReluctantCountess]

This will show how much the school trusts the teachers and fears the parents. If they trust the teacher, the grade will stand as it is; if they fear the parent, management will alter the grade. I know which way my school would go...sadly.

[CatKisser]

Thanks, Galaxy, and you're right. I need to let it go. Don't think the setting was the issue - he would of course go into the top sets for everything.

[CatKisser]

Really, reluctant? I find that awful!

[Pooka]

Ignore ignore ignore comment about bored all year.

If she was concerned then she would have raised it earlier on, rather than waiting until the school reports were out!

Our year 6 teachers are awesome! They never stop - am amazed by how many activities they have organised, giving up heaps of their own time, while simultaneously teaching the core subjects.

I'd be really upset (as a parent) if someone complained about the year at this late stage, given that I know that the teachers give year 6 their absolute all. I think it must be the most intense year group to teach in some respects (though idea of reception makes be shiver too. Actually - all years - there's a good reason I'm not a teacher).

[DownByTheRiverside]

Oh, she's going to be a joy for the secondary school. Who will not be keen on him being a L6 unless it is indeed solid.
Let it go, she's Someone Else's Problem now.

[TheReluctantCountess]

Yep, forget about them. Just pity the poor sods who take over.

[noblegiraffe]

There will always be moany parents with spurious complaints. If you are confident that they are incorrect, then sod 'em, they're gone now. Be pleased that your school supported you as they are obviously confident that you are a good teacher, and that the parent is just one of those. All teachers come up against them from time to time.

Certainly don't let it hang over your holiday!