In order to use the STEPS assessments module in ScholarPack there are some simple set up steps a school should complete initially.
1. Set Up Teaching / Assessment Groups.
Admin > Config > Core set up
Assessment groups are created separately to pastoral groups (form groups) as some schools may not assess in the same groups that they register in.
There are two areas in Admin > Config > Core set up that need to be configured which inform different areas of the system. This area is where pastoral/form groups are created - these groups are added for the purpose of informing teacher registers.
The 'Groups' area is where assessment classes are set up. These groups then appear in the Admin > Classes area which is where you configure your assessment markbooks.
Once you have set up your form groups you can copy these over to the assessment groups if you wish to assess in the same groups you register in.
2. Set up your Classes
Admin > Classes
The Classes module in ScholarPack is where you create your assessment markbooks. These are often the same (or similar) to the form groups (your registration groups). Your classes can consist of any selection of students (e.g. multi year groups, different ability levels, etc).
To watch the tutorial video for setting up your classes, click here (this step is the same for EYFS and Steps assessment).
Once you have created your classes and assigned students and teachers to them, these will appear in the assigned teacher's 'My subjects' area where assessment can begin via the Formative and summative markbooks:
3. Configure Assessment
Admin > Config
The new assessment in ScholarPack has some configurable options.
Checkpoint Names
Checkpoints are automatically defaulted to CP1, CP2 etc but you can use this area to edit and rename your checkpoints. You may wish to call the first checkpoint Aut1 for example as this is your first autumn assessment period.
New Assessment Config
This area allows you to configure whether your checkpoints are locked or open at any given time and what teachers will be able to see in their markbooks.
You have the option for teachers to be able to view and edit targets and see old national curriculum levels (internal) attained.
(Note: using the Predictions report is the quickest way to set targets).
You can also configure in the summative markbook whether or not you just see the Step or the Emerging, Developing, Secure and Exceeding options.
If the 'Lock checkpoints' options are set to 'No' teachers can select any checkpoint in their markbooks and enter data.
The default setting of the remaining options are such that:
- your Levels data is visible in the Markbooks (See Old Levels > Yes)
- the [Eme, Dev, Sec...] labels are present next to the Steps scores in the Summative Markbook (See Sec., Dev, etc. in Markbook > Yes)
- a summary of positive/negative conduct points (Referrals) will not be shown in the assessment reports, eg. Checkpoints (See Conduct in report aspects > No)
Checkpoints Lock
If you wish to ‘lock’ the checkpoints - so that teachers are not able to edit current or previous checkpoint data - just go into Checkpoints Lock and enter your Lock Dates. If you are wanting only one checkpoint open, all other checkpoints lock dates should be prior to today.
Formative Assessment Statements
This area can be used to configure the statements that appear in the Formative Markbook (ie. add/ delete/ edit, and set the order of your target statements). (Note: these default statements have been taken directly from the current NC).
Now that your classes have been set up, and you selected your Config options, teachers can begin adding assessment data for the classes to which they are assigned, through My Subjects.
Remember:
- Any user can analyse any group in the assessment reports, regardless of the classes they are assigned to.
- Teachers can add or remove classes, or students from their classes, using the Manage My Classes feature (in My Subjects).