Question 1

Formative assessment is the only type of assessment teachers need to use

Accepted Answer

While formative assessment is important and valuable in helping teachers understand student progress and adjust instruction, it is not the only type of assessment needed. Summative assessments are also important for measuring student achievement at the end of a unit or course, and diagnostic assessments can help identify areas where students may need additional support. A balanced and varied approach to assessment is important for effective teaching and learning.

Question 2

What are the main purposes of summative assessment?
A) For a summary of children's progress
B) To share with parents a child's achievements
C) To inform next steps in a child's progress
D) To produce a numerical summary for league tables

Accepted Answer

Summative assessments are typically used to summarize children's progress (A), share achievements with parents (B), and produce numerical summaries for league tables (D). They are not primarily used to inform next steps in a child's progress, which is more characteristic of formative assessments.

Question 3

Which of the following are statutory assessment requirements in England?
A) Early Years Foundation Stage Profile
B) Phonics screening check at the end of Year 1.
C) Key Stage 1 (KS1) tasks and tests during Year 2
D) Key Stage 2 English grammar, punctuation and spelling test
E) Key Stage 2 National Curriculum tests in English and mathematics

Accepted Answer

All listed assessments are statutory requirements in England, including the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile, Phonics screening check, KS1 tasks and tests, KS2 English grammar, punctuation and spelling test, and KS2 National Curriculum tests in English and mathematics.

Question 4

How can 'high-stakes testing' impact on education?
A) Teachers teach to the test only
B) Teachers can adopt transmission styles of teaching
C) Children become very anxious about tests
D) Head teachers focus only on the tests and not other aspects of the school curriculum

Accepted Answer

The answer of How can 'high-stakes testing' impact on education?
A)...

Question 5

Assessment for Learning . . .
A) . . . is an integral part of teaching and learning
B) . . . is just the same as assessment of learning
C) . . . is a way to improve children's progress
D) . . . involves feedback to children
E) . . . requires children to be active in their own learning

Accepted Answer

Assessment for learning is an integral part of teaching and learning, as it allows teachers to adjust their teaching strategies and activities to meet the needs of their students. It is different from assessment of learning, which is usually done at the end of a unit or course to measure students' proficiency in the subject matter. Assessment for learning is a way to improve children's progress by providing regular feedback to students on their strengths and areas for improvement. This feedback encourages students to be active in their own learning by reflecting on their work and setting goals for improvement. Therefore, options A, C, D, and E are all correct.

Question 6

What types of evidence do you use for summative assessment?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What types of evidence do you use...

Question 7

What types of evidence do you use for formative assessment?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What types of evidence do you use...

Question 8

Why do you think England has a strong emphasis on external testing and accountability?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why do you think England has a...

Question 9

Analyse the questions you planned for in a recent lesson plan. Use the discussions about questioning in Section 5.1 to support your analysis.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Analyse the questions you planned for in...

Question 10

What are the main sources of assessment evidence in primary schools?
A) What learners' parents say they can do
B) What learners say
C) What learners do
D) What learners produce

Accepted Answer

The main sources of assessment evidence in primary schools are what learners say, what learners do, and what learners produce. Learners may give information about their own learning progress, while their behaviors and actions and the work they produce provide evidence of their learning outcomes. Parental input can also be considered but is not considered a primary source of evidence.

Question 11

Which are the two main types of assessment seen in schools?
A) Summative assessment
B) Diagnostic assessment
C) Formative assessment
D) Self-assessment

Accepted Answer

Summative assessment is typically used to evaluate learning at the end of a unit, course, or school year. Examples include final exams, standardized tests, and end-of-year projects. Formative assessment is ongoing, and it allows teachers to monitor student progress throughout the learning process. Examples include quizzes, practice exercises, and feedback on drafts. Together, these two types of assessment provide a comprehensive picture of student learning and help teachers make informed decisions about instruction.

Question 12

There are a limited number of formative assessment strategies available for teachers to use

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. There are countless formative assessment strategies available to teachers, including but not limited to: exit tickets, classroom discussions, polls or surveys, quizzes, peer evaluations, observation checklists, one-on-one conferences, and more.

Question 13

Pupils in England and in Northern Ireland are subjected to more testing than their peers in other parts of the UK

Accepted Answer

According to research and data, pupils in England and in Northern Ireland are subjected to more testing than their peers in other parts of the UK.

Question 14

National testing is an unhelpful, arduous intrusion

Accepted Answer

National testing can provide valuable data on educational standards, student performance, and areas needing improvement, helping to ensure a consistent and high-quality education system.

Question 15

The time statutory testing takes is an intrusion into schools' practice

Accepted Answer

The answer of The time statutory testing takes is an...

Question 16

Level descriptions have been used . . .
A) only in England
B) only in Wales
C) only in Scotland
D) only in Northern Ireland
E) in all parts of the UK

Accepted Answer

Level descriptions have been used consistently across all parts of the UK.

Question 17

The phonics test in England is . . .
A) a light-touch assessment
B) an in-depth analysis of children's phonics ability
C) a reporting tool for league tables
D) causing children a great deal of stress

Accepted Answer

The article mentions that the phonics test is a "light-touch assessment" and emphasizes that it is not meant to be a high-pressure exam for children.

Question 18

Internal moderation . . .
A) checks whether teachers are right/wrong
B) involves discussion about a small sample of children's work
C) justifies a given grade
D) is not that important

Accepted Answer

Internal moderation involves discussion about a small sample of children's work among teachers to ensure consistency and fairness in grading. It is not about checking whether teachers are right or wrong, or justifying a given grade. Internal moderation is an important process in maintaining the quality of assessment within a school or educational institution.

Question 19

How many principles of Assessment for Learning are there?
A) 1
B) 5
C) 8
D) 10

Accepted Answer

The answer of How many principles of Assessment for Learning...

Question 20

Reflect on the different formative assessment strategies you use in class. Compare your strategies to those discussed in Section 5.1. What can you learn from this comparison?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Reflect on the different formative assessment strategies...

Quiz 5: Assessment for Learning: Formative Approaches

Formative assessment is the only type of assessment teachers need to use

What are the main purposes of summative assessment?

Which of the following are statutory assessment requirements in England?

How can 'high-stakes testing' impact on education?

Assessment for Learning . . .

What types of evidence do you use for summative assessment?

What types of evidence do you use for formative assessment?

Why do you think England has a strong emphasis on external testing and accountability?

Analyse the questions you planned for in a recent lesson plan. Use the discussions about questioning in Section 5.1 to support your analysis.

What are the main sources of assessment evidence in primary schools?

Which are the two main types of assessment seen in schools?

There are a limited number of formative assessment strategies available for teachers to use

Pupils in England and in Northern Ireland are subjected to more testing than their peers in other parts of the UK

National testing is an unhelpful, arduous intrusion

The time statutory testing takes is an intrusion into schools' practice

Level descriptions have been used . . .

The phonics test in England is . . .

Internal moderation . . .

How many principles of Assessment for Learning are there?

Reflect on the different formative assessment strategies you use in class. Compare your strategies to those discussed in Section 5.1. What can you learn from this comparison?