Overview
This article explains summative assessment, the Sonar Assessment Model, and how to use it in Sonar Tracker to maximise pupil outcomes.
Sonar Assessment Model
Summative teacher assessments are essential for helping teachers and leaders make accurate predictions, identify issues, and allocate additional resources effectively.
The Sonar Assessment Model is built on this premise. It is flexible and accommodates various assessment models. The usage described here applies to the Sonar Assessment model, but the method remains consistent across all models.
The following video explains how the model works, and details the attainment codes and how they are reflected in reports.
Attainment Codes
Each attainment code has a specific meaning and importance:
Below
- These are pupils working below the age-expected standard. They are not on track to achieve the expected standard but may have the potential to attain more highly. For example, their attainment may be affected by factors such as absence. They may be pupils for whom extra support through intervention strategies may be beneficial.
Just At
- One of the main reasons to maintain summative assessments in a school is to indicate if pupils are likely to attain the national expected standard at the end of the key stage.
- The Just At code indicates that pupils are Just At the age related expectation at the point in time the assessment relates to. So if they continue to achieve at the expected rate they should achieve it, whether that is the Expected Standard at Key Stage One or 100 in the Key Stage two scaled score.
- This code is important as it empowers teachers to give an honest assessment. The Just At Age Related Expectation pupils are on track but are vulnerable to any upsets, such as a prolonged period of absence.
Securely At
- These are pupils who are securely at the age-related expectation at this point in time. An assessment here means the pupil is securely on track. If they continue to progress at the same rate they are very likely, close to 100%, to achieve the expected standard at the end of the key stage. Obviously, there are no guarantees, and much can happen in the course of a school year but, as things stand, these pupils are not a cause for concern.
Above
- The ‘Above’ code indicates pupils who are above the age-related expectation.
- Similar to the Just At code, these are pupils who are on track to achieve the higher standard at the end of the key stage. But they will only do so if their rate of progress is maintained.
Pupils working above or below their current year group
- For pupils accessing curriculum content above or below their current year group it may be useful to enter an assessment within the appropriate range. The method is detailed later on.
- For reports, these pupils will be described as ‘Significantly Above’ or 'Significantly Below'.
- Significantly Above are pupils, for whom, the Higher key stage standard or 110 scaled score is very much their expected outcome.
- Significantly Below would usually represent pupils working below the band for their year group, and accessing curriculum content appropriate for them. They will probably be on a stage of SEN.
Using the Summative Assessment tool
This short video demonstrates how to use the summative assessment entry tool and the following notes provide additional detail.
Using The Assessment Tools
- Select Assess.
- Select Primary Summative from the Teacher Assessments list.
- When prompted, select the Year Group and/or Class for which you wish to enter test results:
- Select Load Assessment, the input page opens with the selected pupils and the subjects for the current period:
- Select a cell to open the Choose Code tool.
- Select the appropriate code for the pupil that you are assessing or select Show All Codes:
(The above shows the default choices - these may be different for your school) - If you selected Show All Codes, select the code for the pupil you are assessing. This allows you to set assessment codes that are out of the pupil's year:
- Complete for each pupil
Bulk Fill
You can bulk-fill teacher assessments. For further information see Sonar Tracker: How do I bulk-fill assessment data?
Effective Assessment
Sonar Tracker has a clever feature called Effective Assessment. To avoid having to re-enter the same summative judgements term after term Sonar pulls any assessment through from the previous term.
Effective Assessments may be identified by the little icon in the corner of the cell. Hovering the mouse over this will show when that assessment was entered.
You can enter the same code to 'confirm' it as current if you wish, alter it if the current assessment has changed or just leave it in place. Reports will use Effective Assessments as current assessments.
This video gives a bit more detail on the feature.
Choosing Subjects
Select View Options to choose one or more subjects from the curriculum to display simultaneously on the page. Subjects are selected by checking or unchecking the Subject and selecting Update View.