Welcome

Kathleen Tattersall - Chair of the Institute of Educational Assessors

"The interest in good assessment, which is properly practised by suitable experienced individuals, has never been stronger"

Growing demands

Late Spring always brings with it signs of renewed growth in nature and perhaps assessment is no different. On 3-4 May, the institute hosts its annual conference, which attempts to discern the shape of future assessments by bringing together some of the leading thinkers to look at what tasks and tests may mean for the next generation of learners.

There is little doubt that e-assessment will play a large part in creating a more flexible, on-demand assessment system - one that we hope will also be more transparent and more accountable to both learners and parents. Already we have seen the new shape of e-assessment forming in schools, fuelled by the Key Stage 3 ICT pilot in around 2,500 centres this year. In all matters of e-assessment, our message as an institute is clear: technology needs to be the servant of assessment, not its master.

In this term's magazine, Josephine Smith, curriculum leader at Casterton College, offers an internal perspective on issues from external tests to Assessment for Learning (page 14). Josephine is also an external examiner for one of the major awarding bodies, so her views on the link between good formative and summative assessments make interesting reading on these critical areas.

One of our speakers at the annual conference - Dr Kathryn Ecclestone - has found time in her busy schedule to offer some thoughts on assessment in adult education (page 24). Some areas of adult education may be more advanced in the use of adaptive assessments, so comparing its progress with other areas is a welcome challenge. Also speaking at the conference is Paul Black, Emeritus Professor of Science Education at Kings College, who will expand the ideas on Assessment for Learning that he outlined in our Spring 2007 issue.

For schools, the summer term promises to be busy. Planned Progress Tests in the 2007-08 academic term will mean a greater focus on the development of learners between key stages as well as at their ends. What form these will take and their impact on the classroom were still up for debate as we went to press, but the interest in good assessment, which is properly practised by suitable experienced individuals, has never been stronger. For those members looking to take part in Key Stage Tests, GCSE and A-level examinations this term we say good luck. I hope you feel suitably prepared, refreshed and looking forward to determining and supporting the efforts of our learners this year.

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