Assessment is for Learning

2007 to the present: Promoting assessment literacy

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2007 to the present: Promoting assessment literacy

In October 2007, an evaluation of the status of assessment of learning in Scotland 2006-07 was published. This evaluation assessed the extent of understanding of the third strand - assessment OF learning (AoL) -  the impact it had had on staff development, and the degree to which staff in local authorities and schools understood the purpose of the National Assessment Bank (NAB) and were using NAB materials as set out in Circular /2/05.

Key findings included the following observations:

  • Awareness and understanding of AifL and AoL was not firmly embedded across Scotland. Understanding by teachers was not clear in terms of the principles of different elements of assessment of learning and differentiating between the assessment for, as and of learning strands in AifL. The purpose and use of the Scottish Survey of Achievement was not well understood. 
  • Assessment of learning had however resulted in an increase in the range of assessment methods used to monitor and record pupils’ achievements, and had helped teachers to become more confident in using different methods to assess pupils’ learning.

The report concluded that these changes were not embedded to the same extent across all schools, with some establishments further advanced than others in using a range of evidence to assess pupils’ progress. 

In response to these findings, the AifL Programme moved its attention to building a greater awareness of the different uses of assessment among teachers, school managers and local authority officers.