NFER levels

[Contraryish]

Morning!

I went to parents' evening last night and was given a new NFER level for my daughter, who is in year 4 (just as I'd managed to get my head around the previous system!). Her teacher explained that this mark was based on a score of 100 for what average achievement should be for her year group.

Three questions!

1. I presume the 100 score is based on national attainment, and not her specific year group within the school?
2. If the standard mark of 100 is based on 'achievement for her age', I assume that score should then remain relatively stable and would not be expected to progress as she moves through the year groups?
3. Is there a maximum score, or is there no specific scale?

Many thanks!

are these CATs ? If so max is 141 iirc , 100 is standardised mean for her age group nationally but the school's may be higher or lower (dc's was about 106). There is a tolerance so something like 85-115 is deemed average.

We get similar tests each year in Wales now for numeracy and literacy from yr2 upwards.
100 will be based on national attainment.
85-115 is considered average (within one standard deviation of the mean average)
between 115-124 (maybe 125) is above average (1-2 standard deviations away from mean average)
above 125 is very good (about 1% of children)

In general a child should stay at about the same number each year, and generally within the same band, unless there was a specific reason why they may have performed very badly one year and their 'true colours' weren't shown and the next year they performed as expected.
I have found this to be true for the limited (2 year) data I have for my DSs.

DD's school gives us NFER scores once a year and include a key when they give them out (below average, average, above average, high, very high). I would need to check the cut off points for each band but 100 is definitely in the average band and 140+ is the top. I think DD's marks have stayed fairly stable.

Thanks all, that's very helpful. LIZS, I'm not sure what CATs are. These are just assessment levels given in Yr4!

www.nfer.ac.uk/schools/nfer-tests/

Thanks LIZS, so CAT is 'Curriculum Assessment Test'? Certainly looks to be the same thing!