The journey so far: assessment for learning in Scotland

Abstract

This article takes the form of a case-study, outlining the progress of policy and practice in Scotland towards the introduction of Assessment for Learning in pre-school and schools for children aged 3-14. The period described comprises the launch of 5-14 curriculum and assessment guidelines in the early 1990s, a review and consultation on assessment in pre-school and 5-14 by HM Inspectorate of Schools, the recent assessment development programme, Assessment is for Learning (AifL), initiated in 2002, and the publication by the Scottish Executive Education Department (SEED) of a set of curriculum and assessment policy documents for education 3-18 in November 2004.The assessment guidelines published in 1991 put considerable emphasis on professional practice in assessment as part of learning and teaching, promoting what would now be recognized as 'assessment for learning'. However, curriculum guidelines for English language and mathematics and new arrangements for national testing in reading, writing and mathematics were published at the same time. These commanded considerable professional and public attention, so that curriculum content and measurement of attainment levels, rather than the quality of assessment practice in classrooms, became the main focus of schools' planning and action. The increasing emphasis on standards, target-setting and accountability in the mid-to late 1990s ensured that measurement, rather than assessment for learning, remained the main priority.Recognition on the part of ministers that assessment and testing arrangements were not working well for learners, teachers or policy-makers led to the 1999 review and consultation. This once again asserted the importance for learning and achievement of good professional practice in classroom assessment. At the same time, the emphasis in policy more generally was shifting towards establishing a culture of self-evaluation in local authorities and schools. The Assessment is for Learning development programme has sought to bring together these various threads in a coherent national system of assessment. It aims to promote excellence in professional assessment practice, the primacy of teachers' judgements and sound arrangements for local quality assurance of those judgements, to ensure consistency. For national monitoring of attainment, there will be a cycle of sample surveys rather than a collection of data for all schools and pupils. The programme has also sought to take account of research on the management of change to ensure that the new system is developed collaboratively with stakeholders and put into effect in all Scottish schools.

School-based curriculum development in Scotland: curriculum policy and enactment

“…CfE has been heralded by its architects as 'one of the most ambitious programmes of educational change ever undertaken in Scotland' (Scottish Government 2008, p.8). It is said to build upon earlier programmes of reform, notably Assessment is for Learning (AifL: see, for example, Hayward, Priestley and Young 2004;Hutchinson and Hayward 2005) 1 , which have sought to shift the emphasis in classrooms away from inputs by teachers towards the development of autonomous, self-directed learners. CfE is often claimed to be distinctive, but as we noted in the introduction to this paper, it is typical of much contemporary worldwide curriculum policy, manifesting a set of common trends or features, including the following identified by Michael Young (2009, p.1): 'the introduction of National Qualifications Frameworks; the shift to learning outcomes; and the move from subject specific to generic curriculum criteria'.…”

Reviewing the Challenges of Implementing Formative Assessment in Asia: The Need for a Professional Development Program

“…Hutchinson and Hayward (2005) described the interest in formative assessment as a "quiet revolution" transforming all levels of education around the world. Many Asian countries have deployed this innovation to maintain or improve student performances at the international level.…”

Formative assessment for all: a whole‐school approach to pedagogic change

“…The background to this initiative has been well documented elsewhere (e.g. Hayward et al, 2000;Hutchinson & Hayward, 2005), but it is useful to briefly put into context the development of the formative assessment project that is the focus of this paper.…”