How do schools record and prove progression

[littlelegsmum]

My dd's school have told me a few levels already this year that she is working at.

I'm very confused as to how she has progressed so much in the short time she's been there.

Basically, I'd like to ask them to show how they've come to the levels they have. Am I allowed to see work ? Can I ask for copies of said work ? Can I ask for copies of mock sats papers from February ?

Any help and advice is much appreciated.

Progress can be measured using standardised tests for reading and spelling and maths and by teacher assessed SATs. The results of standardised tests should be on the front sheet of DS's IEP and will record say RA (reading age) and CA (chronological age). Expected progress is one year's progress in each calendar year which equates to a ratio gain of 1.0. Likewise it is expected that DC progress 2 SATs sub-levels each academic year. Your LEAs SEN policy will state what is considered to be adequate progress. For example it may be a ratio gain of 0.5 (ie 6 months in one year) during a Wave 3 intervention but it may be considered adequate even if it is less than this if it is commensurate with earlier rate of progress. SATs are supposed to be a better indicator but that depends on whether or not you trust the teachers! Personally I find that standardised tests do not lie and that teachers often present the raw data because parents do not know whether or not it demonstrates progress.

How would I get a copy of the LEA SEN Policy?

Thank you for that information. Can I ask to show me how they say she's progressed?

I've had 2 lots of written detailed levels and 2 lots of verbal levels given to me in the past 3 months.

One of the school's stories are (since she joined them in September last year), her levels were 2's and they are now saying she is working at level 4's . . Clearly this is just not true.

The Head told us that he provides parents with lower scores so they don't get too worked up if they don't achieve magic level 4??

google your LEA and SEN.

They may or may not have a policy like KeepOn describes. I'm fairly sure mine doesn't (I found a document about who qualifies for statements, but it never went into the detail KeepOn is saying)

Sometimes they've shown me work. Mostly they haven't.

Mostly me and school have disagreed about progress and levels :)

Have you tried contacting parent partnership? If you're very lucky they'll both be good and be able to come to the meeting with you......

Thanks Indigo

I'll do some googling today. I'll also phone LEA too and ask for a copy.

So disagreements like this are usual then?! I knew lack of support/sen support was but just presumed they were being bloody extremely awkward

Very usual.

I had to get parent partnership and the chair of governors into a meeting before they'd tell me DDs true level :(

Ask Minx. Even at GCSE level they kept on insisting her son would pass :(

Some parent partnerships are good and worth talking to. They're part of the LEA and will be able to give you a copy of the LEA SEN policy etc. They also know all about what evidence school needs to provide. And they can also come and support you at meetings.

Because they're part of the LEA some parent partnerships aren't as neutral as they're meant to be..... :) But I like my one.

Parents in Partnership emailed me the LEAs policy as it is hard to find on the web. Compare the written scores - in the crazy world of SEN only what is written counts not what is truthful or accurate. If the school have not done them already ask for standardised tests - they only take around five minutes to adminster.

In order to disagree about progress without being dismissed you need the data. I have had deeply philosophical discussions with SENCos for years about 'progress'. Apparently DS has the scary power (?osmosis) to progress whilst doing no work at all! Don't waste your breath - hard data defeats crap.

Thanks Indigo and , much appreciated!

As soon as my balance is restored I'll be straight on to parent partnership - again!!!

That was supposed to thank you too Keepingon!

Ok, Does every child have some kind of education plan then?

Every child on Action or Action+ has an IEP as well as those about whom staff have concerns and are receiving limited support through 'differentiation' in the classroom. DS1 and DS2 are on A+ so I don't know about so-called 'normal' kids! I understand that your school denies SEN but I assumed that you meant 'not bad enough for a statement' not that they provide no support at all

No, only children on the SEN register have an IEP (Individual Education Plan)

But even they don't have to have one. All that legally has to happen is that the school have to be able to say what they're doing to meet their needs.....

I called the PPS who were going to phone the school and arrange a meeting with regards to my issues. And:

First of all he was confused (join the club) as to why they were phoning as he thought everything was fine after the meeting. What he really means is: when I said to dd's mum that I hope we had trust in each other from now on, and when I told dd's mum not to speak to anyone else regarding this and to just go to him, really means "Don't go taking anymore outside advice as you'll realise I'm supposed to know what I'm bloody doing!!!!!"

The Head told her that he has a pastoral support development programme in place . . WHAT????? When did that happen? I said that wasn't the case and she said if you only had the meeting a couple of days ago it's probably not been put in place and I had to give it time. I knew he was going to get the pastoral guy to check her reading age, nothing else?!

He once again, said her levels were great and at level 4's. Which they're not.

He said DD had a mentor to go through this so called pastoral support thingy!!

He said he acknowledges the recent private report. That's bollocks funny as he didn't to us!!

He said dd has been referred by school nurse to relevant people. . What he didn't say is the school nurse is dds health visitor and that's the capacity she went to the meeting with me, not in a school capacity!!!!

He mentioned the Ep I've contacted myself, though he's not referred her on yet as he's not normally at that school and was covering for said ill person who is back, yet not taking dd on?!?!

I said that it sounded like she was backing the school up and could I tell her all the various levels we'd been told previously . . Which is the reason for me not knowing the actual levels. Which I did!

Not sure I got anywhere but I said I wanted to foully complain about the school, lack of listening to concerns, lack of referrals - you name it. She's asked me to bullet point it and email them and they'll draft a letter up for me to send.

Is it even worth it?

Whoops, forgot to add. The 'reader' changed to a 'prompter' today !!!!