Key Stage 3 Science Teacher Views of Teacher Assessment Using Assessing Pupils' Progress (APP)
16 August 2011
This project was a follow-up to an NFER-funded project that investigated the introduction and implementation of Assessing Pupils' Progress (APP) in key stage 3 science. This first project ran from April 2009 to February 2010, following the introduction of APP in January 2009, and reported the findings from two online questionnaires (questionnaire 1 in May 2009 and questionnaire 2 in September 2009) sent to all local authority (LA) science consultants.
The overall purpose of this follow-up research project was to find out key stage 3 science teachers' perceptions of the introduction of APP, and how APP has been embedded into practice during its first 12-18 months. The project also aimed to find out how teachers perceive the future of APP and its possible impact on teaching and learning. An online questionnaire was sent to key stage 3 science teachers in June/July 2010.
Key Findings
- The majority of teachers who completed the questionnaire were using APP to assess pupils.
- Where teachers and schools had adopted and successfully embedded APP, the findings were positive.
- The 'skills based nature of APP' was considered a positive.
- APP was considered to have the potential to improve pupils' scientific understanding, raise pupil attainment and engage pupils.
- APP supports teacher assessment in a structured manner.