I’ve been looking into the detail of Progress 8, following the DFE guidance that was published in March. Is it just me or is this a massive pile of data garbage? A house of cards of data validity dressed up to look rigorous? I’m seriously worried that we’re being duped by the wizards of Data Delusion. I’m also hugely disappointed. A while ago, I attended a Heads’ Roundtable gathering where DFE data-King Tim Leunig outlined the ideas behind Attainment 8 and Progress 8. It all sounded pretty sensible: measures that encompass a broad range of subjects (not just five), where every grade counts (not just C+) and where progress against prior attainment would take priority over narrow benchmarks.
I’ve waited to see the details behind the mechanism and now that I have, I’m horrified. It’s all so convoluted; so removed from what learning looks like, turning ‘Progress’ into some…
View original post 1,238 more words
The Echo Chamber 