Dropping a level in literacy yr 4

[Canshopwillshop]

My DD started year 4 on a 3b for literacy. I thought she was getting on ok, until just before Easter when I got her report which recorded unsatisfactory for both effort and progress and she had gone down to a 3c. I queried this with the teacher who explained that the school had reviewed how they assessed students and instead of making the judgment based on a snapshot assessment, the new method was to continually assess and the new level was therefore more accurate. Furthermore, the unsatisfactory effort was not because DD couldn't be arsed, it was simply a reflection of the lack of progress! Although the teacher reassured me on some aspects, I am still unhappy, particularly because I was not made aware of the problem until the school report.

We have parents evening next week but I am just not sure what to say - I don't want to be fobbed off so would appreciate any advice on how to handle it.

Continual assessment is NOT a new method . So they have been basing results on end of year tests until now? Or have I misunderstood?

Teeth - your assumption is correct. My post wasn't worded well but yes, rather than basing the level on a one off test, it is based on their overall achievement.

As someone with a DS whose assessment results might as well have been random numbers, I would be pleased that the school had moved to teacher assessments.

There is no indication from the results that your DD has a problem - just that she did better than expected on one test at the start of Y4! How has she progressed since KS1 (when you must have had TA results, so can compare eggs with eggs)?

So maybe in y3 the level given was too high because they just used one piece of work to level rather than a range?

Has the literacy actually got worse, or only the level reported?

You should be pleased they are now reporting more accurately. 3c is only slightly behind 'expected' for end y4.

Thanks for replies. Good idea to compare with end of year 2. I can't remember what level she was on - will have to look back. If I can't find it myself will the school be able to provide me with it?

3c end of Y4 is not good. She's about a year behind now.

So, rather than focusing on the fact that she may or may not have gone backwards, rather than focusing on how much progress she's made since Y2, focus on the fact that now she is behind.

Tell them you're concerned and ask what intervention she'll be on next year to help her catch up.

And what they'd like you to do over summer.

But there is no way to avoid being fobbed off. Teachers are masters at evading questions, giving you half truths etc. The fact is 3b is the expected level for the end of year, so she is behind. So be very direct with them if necessary.....

3c end y4 is NOT a year behind.

It is one sub level behind.

It is the least amount you can be behind, and be behind.
It is still on target to be a level 4 in y6.

But still, find out what to work on, maybe do a holiday diary.

She could well be on target when you get her end of year assessment level if she was 3C at Easter.

Schools target either a 2a or a 3c for end of Y3. So if your school targets 3c for end of Y3, then you are a year behind, even though you're also only 1 sublevel behind.

And the 'secondary ready' target is now 4b not 4. So a 4c is no longer what you're aiming for end of Y6.

Of course she probably will get a 4b or higher in Y6. But she still is behind now. And it should be addressed now not later.

Sorry BucksKid that may be true of your school but that is simply not true of every school.

If she was a level 3C at Easter (4 months before the end of the year) it doesn't mean she will be 3C in July and she definitely isn't behind ... well on track to achieve 4B or higher.