Regulating national assessments
Applies to England
Download the full outcome
Detail of outcome
We have decided to implement the framework on which we consulted, subject to a small number of minor amendments to make our approach and focus clearer in some areas. These changes do not affect the overall approach proposed. We have decided to implement our revised framework in spring 2018.
There were 12 responses to our consultation. Respondents generally supported our proposed framework, although there were some specific comments about how the wording in some areas could be clarified. Some responses suggested that we had not always made our intentions clear enough, for instance a number of responses suggested that we should do things that were already included within our proposed framework. There were also some comments relating to the proposed implementation date of Spring 2018.
This document does not respond individually to every point made, some related to the style rather than the substance of the framework. The document focusses though on the issues raised, and the decisions we have taken in response to them.
Feedback received
Detail of feedback received
We received 12 responses to the consultation. Two of these were from individuals, the others were from organisations, 7 were from representative groups - including teacher associations, 1 was from the Standards and Testing Agency and 2 others were from independent assessment research organisations.
Respondents to the consultation supported the majority of our proposals. They welcomed the additional clarity in our proposed framework about the roles of the responsible bodies involved in developing and delivering national assessments. They also welcomed our focus on the validity of national assessments and felt that the proposed framework is clearer than the existing one.
Where respondents commented on our approach, they felt that we should be proactive in regulating national assessments, aiming to prevent problems occurring, not just responding to incidents as they arise. A small number felt that our proposed framework should be more prescriptive in some areas. Others commented that while setting out our plans for the areas we intend to focus on is helpful, it is important to ensure we retain the flexibility to respond to changing circumstances.
Original consultation
Consultation description
We intend to keep many elements of the existing framework. We propose to continue to focus our regulatory activity on areas of greatest risk and to use validity as our primary criterion for considering assessment quality. We propose to continue to regulate in accordance with the principles of good regulation.
The main changes we are proposing to the framework are:
- to bring the framework up-to-date by reflecting changes to the bodies responsible for developing and delivering national assessments
- to provide greater transparency and clarity about how we regulate, including by introducing a section explaining in more detail our regulatory approach, regulatory tools and our focus on the validity of national assessments
- making sure our expectations of responsible bodies focus on outcomes such as validity, rather than prescribing certain administrative approaches
- to make more explicit our expectations relating to assessment purpose and to strengthen our expectations about risks that should be escalated to us by responsible bodies
Documents
Last updated 6 March 2018 + show all updates
-
Final decisions and analysis of responses published.
-
Proposed framework updated to include line numbers.
-
First published.