Sublevels progress - AIBU?

[bringonyourwreckingball]

Dd1 is in Y3. Parents evening is coming up and in advance we have been sent a sheet with details of the level the teacher has assessed her at for reading, writing, maths, science and the levels she is 'targeted' to attain by the end of the academic year. She's a bright kid and works hard and as I would expect all her levels are well above average. However, for reading she has been given a target of 3 sublevels progress, taking her from a current 3a to a 4a. Which would be fine except that there is a note saying that the teacher is 'aware of the steps which need to be taken to reach her target' ie she is currently not on target for a 4a. But surely she doesn't need to be? It says on the report that pupils are expected to make 1-2 sublevels progress, so why is she being expected to make 3? It seems to me that she is effectively being set up for failure and I'm concerned this is being communicated to her. Can anyone shed any light on why she would be set a 3 sublevels target when she's doing fine as she is?

The new rules mean all children are supposed to make three sublevels' improvement now. Grumble grumble Gove talking out of his arse again.

Is that only for reading though? Because she has only been given a 2 sub level target for everything else. If it is Gove-related I shall ignore as the man clearly has no clue.

I'm not sure (not a teacher). The teacher that told me about it was cursing Gove in the same breath though!

DS went from 3a to 4a in a year in reading (so it's certainly possible!). Maybe based on her individual assessment of DD the teacher feels she is capable, which is why she has targetted it?

2 sub levels in a year is good progress. Children who are keen, confident readers can make 3 sub levels because they will read a lot more books and can progress very rapidly. If she falls into this category I would not worry too much as she can definitely make it and targets should be challenging, not a given! It would make life easier for the teacher if your DD was set a level everyone knew she would make standing on her head.

It won't be being communicated to your dd, I assure you. Whereas in writing, for instance, children are involved in what their next steps are (targets written in their workbooks), it is less obvious for reading.

Ok thanks, that all makes sense. She doesn't take 'failure' very well, it tends to demotivate her badly and she's very self-critical so I worry about too much being expected of her.

I think it's a compliment to your child's reading ability. Often targets are shared with pupils but in a motivational way. Maybe ask the teacher what you can do to support this at home - good luck to your little one

"a note saying that the teacher is 'aware of the steps which need to be taken to reach her target' I get this bit, but why does it equate to this bit of your OP "ie she is currently not on target for a 4a."

DD2 made 5 sub-levels in reading between end of reception and end of year 1 so agree that it's possible.

KS1 levels are different to KS2 levels though.

DS made 4 sub levels from end of yr1 to end of yr2 but I doubt he could do that in KS2 (he is now in yr4).