SATs in year 2 - is it really necessary???

[Notcontent]

Ok, so I am not British so find a lot of things perplexing!!

But I just find the while idea of testing 7 year olds a bit pointless and also have concerns that at such an early stage judgments may be made about their ability - because really, at 7 children are at many different stages of development. To cite an example, my dd didn't get reading at all in reception. She slowly started getting it in year 1 and then this year, in year 2, she has really flown through all the levels and is now a great reader at lime level. Her maths is ok, but she is just starting to get it, and I hate the idea of someone making a judgment about it.

mrz I said Level and sub level! For context...reference point.

no one is saying they wouldn't communicate levels and sub levels!

mrz For example, as a parent, you would probably be more relaxed about a child receiving a 2a at the end of Yr2 being told to work on something than a child who received a 2c being told to work on something.

The sub level tells you the 2c child has further to go, more work to do to, to meet the expected standard and the child who has received a 2a has already met the expected standard.

A parent could expect to receive advice in both case scenarios.

mrz nobody is saying they will communicate Levels and sub levels either!

The sub level tells you the 2c child has further to go, more work to do to, to meet the expected standard and the child who has received a 2a has already met the expected standard. and you wouldn't understand that if the teacher told you your child was significantly below expected standards?

everlong with respect finding out your child is a 2C on the last day of term is too late

mrz If my child's teacher told me this I would certainly want to know what standard my child was achieving, that is how 'significantly' below.

One person's 'significantly' is another persons 'marginally'. Again the professional terms and descriptors are some sort of standard, a reference point. It is why professional terms and descriptors exist.

Even if they are made up descriptors that aren't standardised

^ By that I mean I would want to know Levels and sub levels if they are being used and recorded.

mrz especially if they weren't standardised but widely used.

If a child is struggling it needs to be identified early (we aim for no later than autumn half term) and make appointments for parents to work out a plan of action.

mrz I hope this meeting would include a short discussion of the Level and sub level that child was achieving, so the parents could gain a sense of scale.

Obviously the specifics and plan of action is important too, as well as some realistic quantifiable targets (to relate to Level and sub level information).

You said your child's school sends home a report on the final day with no opportunity to discuss the contents? I said that is too late

and no some schools would not be in touch

But at least with a level and a sub level I know where he's at. Do you?
like you say if there were they would have been discussed already. that isn't what I said

I'm pleased everlong

I would love to receive any kind of information about my DC's progress, so far I have not been invited to a parents' evening nor had any written information (Year 3.) I don't know if this is usual?

No it isn't usual mumplus

mumplus That sounds illegal to me. You are supposed to receive yearly written reports. Write and ask for his 'school record'.

The yearly report may be sent out on the final day as everlong says