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KEY STAGE 2 SCIENCE SAMPLE TESTS

ADVICE AND GUIDANCE

MARCH 2010

INTRODUCTION

This document provides information and advice on the introduction of new Key Stage 2sample tests in science from 2010, following the discontinuation of the Key Stage 2National Curriculum science tests.

n order to !e a!le to monitor national standards in science at the end of Key Stage 2,

the "overnment will introduce a system of e#ternally$mar%ed science sampling from2010. The "overnment&s intention is that the sample tests will allow standards in KeyStage 2 science to !e trac%ed over time. t has said that it will not provide any data onthe progress of individual local authorities, schools or pupils.

Will my schl !" chs"# $% &h" s'm(l" &"s&s)

Not unless your school has already !een notified. 'ppro#imately (() schools have !eenselected to underta%e the sample tests in 2010 !y the *ualifications and Curriculum+evelopment 'gency *C+'-, which should provide a representative sample of schoolsacross the country.

' new random sample of schools will !e constructed every year. 's only five per cent ofpupils will !e involved in the sample tests each year, it is unli%ely, although notimpossi!le, that an individual school would !e chosen to participate for two consecutiveyears.

H* *ill I +#* i$ my schl h's !""# chs"#)

The *C+' has notified schools which have !een selected to ta%e part in the sampletests. They will !e statutorily reuired to administer them on /riday, 1 ay 2010. t willprovide them with detailed information a!out the test arrangements. The *C+' will also

inform schools& local authorities a!out their participation.

D"s my schl h'," & &'+" ('%& i# &h" s'm(l" &"s&s)

's the Key Stage 2 science sample tests are statutory, all schools which are selected !ythe *C+' are reuired to administer them.

D 'll &h" Y"'% - (.(ils i# my schl h'," & &'+" &h" s'm(l" &"s&s)

f your school is selected to participate in the sample tests, all ear 3 pupils who, in theopinion of the head teacher, are wor%ing at or a!ove level 4 in science, will !e reuiredto ta%e the tests.

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D"s my schl h'," & %/"% &h" s'm(l" &"s& ('("%s)

The science sampling test materials will !e automatically despatched to schools in ayand will reflect schools 2010 test orders for National Curriculum tests, including any

modified versions of test papers. Schools will automatically receive all necessaryadministration materials with the test paper delivery.

Wh'& *ill &h" s'm(l" &"s&s !" li+")

n 2010, the sample test will use the National Curriculum Key Stage 2 science paperstests ' and 5-, as these have already !een developed. n su!seuent years a newformat for testing may !e developed.

Will I h'," & m'%+ &h" s'm(l" &"s&s)

The sample tests will !e e#ternally mar%ed, so no teacher will !e reuired to underta%ethis wor%. The *C+' will !e responsi!le for recruiting and managing the sample testmar%ers.

H* *ill &h" %"s.l&s $ &h" s'm(l" &"s&s !" %"(%&"/)

6articipating schools will receive a summary of performance !y attainment target atschool level in Septem!er 2010. The +CS/ will report the proportion of children whoattained level or a!ove nationally in the tests at the start of the autumn term. 7esultsof the tests at local authority and school level will not !e pu!lished, !ecause the sampletests are designed to provide information on the national progress of pupils in science atthe end of Key Stage 2. Schools will therefore report only levels arrived at !y the

teacher assessment for science at the end of Key Stage 2.

Will O$s&"/ '#/ lc'l '.&h%i&i"s .s" my schls s'm(l" &"s& %"s.l&s)

The sample test results will only !e pu!lished at national level, !ased on the aggregatedresults of all the pupils who participated in a particular year. The *C+' is clear that8

9's science sampling has !een designed to monitor attainment at anational level, the outcomes will not !e used for school accounta!ilitypurposes. The outcomes will not !e provided to :fsted or localauthorities.;

Will &h" %"s.l&s !" %"(%&"/ & ('%"#&s)

The *C+' has said the following8

9's schools participating in science sampling will not receive outcomes forindividual pupils, they will !e una!le to report these to parents. Schoolsshould continue to report overall teacher assessment levels to parentsand *C+' on the progress of individual pupils.;

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Wh"%" c'# I $i#/ .& m%" i#$%m'&i# '!.& &h" s'm(l" &"s&s)

The *C+' has esta!lished a dedicated section of its we!site on the samplingarrangements at www.cda.gov.u%