Research and analysis
Investigation of key stage 2 level 6 tests
Findings from a study into how the level 6 tests have affected the way schools support their most able pupils.
Documents
Details
Following Lord Bew’s review of key stage 2 testing, which found that the current system appeared to place a ceiling on the attainment of the most able pupils, the government made level 6 tests available to schools on an optional basis.
Sheffield Hallam University’s Centre for Education and Inclusion Research (CEIR) was commissioned to undertake a research study investigating the externally marked key stage 2 level 6 tests in mathematics and reading.
The main aims of the research were:
- to gain an understanding of how the level 6 tests have affected school behaviour towards the most able pupils (eg to find out what support and provision is made available)
- to investigate why schools are, or are not, entering pupils for the level 6 tests
- to assess any areas of potential good practice in relation to the level 6 tests