SATs results? What does this mean?!

[minceorotherwise]

If a year 2 child achieves level three (don't have scores), what does that mean in real terms? I know it's good but I don't know what it actually relates to...I'm used to they got xx% in English or whatever
Does it just mean that they scored sufficiently past the 'pass mark' that makes a level 3
And what is a level three....
Sorry, am a bit rubbish at this!

About 20-25% of children will get at least a level 3 in at least one subject. So in the top 25% ability wise, at least on the current assessment procedures. No promises they will continue at that relatively high percentile.

In year 2 they should achieve a level 2b~2a as the aim for the end of year. Anything above that is better.
If your son has achieve a level 3, he has done better than expected.

I would imagine you are talking about the SATs here. My understanding from dc1 teacher is that the SAT can not evaluate above level 3c so your dc might be anywhere from and above that.

Also these levels are there to get an idea of what the child has learnt. So if they are a level 2b they have mastered X,y and z which are necessary to carry on learning what is at level 2a, 3c etc...
Each year, children are expected to achieve/attain a certain level so that will give you an idea if he is on track re his learning.

Ah that makes sense!!
Thanks for all the info

Why hasn't your child's school included explanatory information with the results?

clam no we have never being given any explanation about what these levels means.

We will be given results in our report plus explanations etc. 2b is 'average' I think with 2a. and 3 above the average.

We just got a single sheet with the levels on with no explanation.

Lady they can score more specifically than 3. Level 3 is broken down into 3c 3b and 3a. DS1s report specified what each level means in terms of where they are expected to be.

I would imagine you are talking about the SATs here. My understanding from dc1 teacher is that the SAT can not evaluate above level 3c so your dc might be anywhere from and above that.

That's not right - the Y2 assessment is teacher assessment, and there is no ceiling. Even using the level 3 tests (the tests are a small part of the assessment) 3c is not the most the test can assess at.

Legally, at a level 3 that's all the school has to report (at level 2 they have to describe the levels, i.e. 2a, 2b or 2c). Internally, they will have recorded what kind of a level 3 it is though - you could always ask if you really wanted to know.

1b this is the expected national average for a year one child

1a this is above the national average for a year one child

2c this is slightly below national average for a year two child

2b this is the expected national average for a year two child

2a this is slightly above national average level for a year two child

3c this is beyond the national average level for a year two child

3b/3a this is beyond expectations for a year two child

Taken from the breakdown on DS1s report

Level 3 at Key stage one is actually a 3B (I am a teacher). You would therefore expect them to have progressed 1 1/2 levels from there by the end of Year 3.

Sorry, I meant sub-levels not levels!

Not quite accurate, whatever the school say......!

The expected level at Year 2 is a level 2.

The expected level at Year 6 is a level 4.

Anything in between is guess by different schools to make sure that children are on track.

Level 3 at Key stage one is actually a 3B (I am a teacher).

Only in some LEAs, GrapesAnatomy. (Mine included).

Some schools in other LEAs are 'allowed' to report 3Cs.

Great that we are all consistent!

Oh crikey!! And I was confused at the beginning!!!
Even if different schools have different classifications of 'stage 3' do they all have the same test ?

Yes, same test. But different authorities insist on different things, so it's a bit of a red herring to say a 3 must be this or that.

But whether your dc is a 3A, 3B or 3C, it is still only reported as a 3 to parents, because a broad level judgement is all that is required at level 3 in KS1. But it will certainly be recorded as a finer judgement within school, which is why you need to ask them if you are desperate to know.

No, not desperate to know really. Just wanted to understand what it meant!
And now I do....I think!
Thank you ladies

Ours were reported as 3a 3b or 3c to parents feenie. I think what we can take from all this is that it's different with different schools - but either way if your year two dc scored a three he is doing well.

Yes, some schools choose to, but most don't because the statutory obligation is to only report level 3 as a broad level, as in the OP's case.

But yes, level 3 either way is pretty good.

One other quick question that this has raised, the teacher said he scored level three in all his subjects. Does that mean he was individually tested for each, or scored a level three as an overall score taking all subjects into account, if you see what I mean?

Sorry, that's sounds very pfb, it's not meant to, I genuinely need help understanding the system

It's an individual score for each subject, but it's mainly teacher assessment, not just tests.

Science and Speaking and Listening are not tested at all.

That's interesting because dc1 teacher said specifically that the test didn't allow to test the children beyond level 3c.... so dc1 was 3c even though he probably was 3b or 3a in some subjects.

but yes tests are done on each individual subject.

That's not correct - and not even common sense! How could a test, specifically designed to test at level 3, only level at a 3c? What would be the point?

I suspect she means the school only allows children to be levelled at a 3c, thereby creating an artifical ceiling and making it look as if child have made more progress in Year 6, since everything is measured from a 3c - even if a child is a 3b/3a.

I did wonder about that too. But seems a bit odd that of the test is specific ( abc are identified) then why not use them to give more accurate data
Or I guess cynically feenie as already answered that one