Question Level Analysis is a really useful tool.
It can really help prepare for exams - guiding intervention and giving an overall summary to find learning gaps - but... There is so much more to QLA than exam prep!
Let me explain what I mean...
Examinations | Dive Deeper | Personal Learning Journey | Implement Change | Pass it Forward
What does Question Level Analysis do?
Described by some as the magic bullet, Question Level Analysis is now becoming more popular in schools across the country but what does it do..
QLA breaks assessment data down into meaningful insight that teachers, pupils and parents can all use to make a real difference. It takes the raw materials across an assessment (for example the KS2 SATs) and dives deeper looking for the insight that can make a difference.
At a basic level, this is really useful in the preparation for examinations as it gives clear insight into......
What can help pupils make a successful Transition to Secondary School?
We surveyed secondary schools up and down the country asking about Transition.
Every school and area has a different way of working. Most focus first on getting to know their pupils with activity days in school or a mock timetable. This is really important.
But what about academic transition?
Stalled Progress at Key Stage 3
A recent Ofsted report stated..
"the transition to secondary is too often poorly managed and teaching fails to build on the gains pupils have made in primary school. Inspectors have found that pupils often leave primary school with good literacy and numeracy skills, confident and eager to learn, but their progress then stalls when they start secondary school."
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/too-many-students-let-down-in-early-stages-of-secondary-school
The fact is that the importance of a good start to secondary school education cannot be overstated. Pupils need to enjoy school and get involved with the many subjects to choose them at Key Stage 4.
The report continues..
"School leaders need...
What makes a Good Question Level Analysis?
Answer: Detailed Analysis
Described by some as the magic bullet, Question Level Analysis is now becoming more popular in schools across the country.
Many free grids are available over the internet designed to help break assessments down as a guide for teachers but they do not give you the forensic or time saving analysis you need. In fact - some of them don't even do analysis at "question level".
DAISI Education has been making QLA for schools all over the country for nearly 10 years. Our Question Level Analysis has been proven to help schools improve* their results over time. Therefore, as a team of education analysts, we know what makes a good one and how it can save time and raise attainment. The answer is the level of ANALYSIS.
*80% of schools who used DAISI Question Level Analysis over three years have seen an increase in their attainment.
So what makes a Good QLA?
Ten Question to ask...
1....
One of the most popular sports across the world at the moment is Formula One.
Here a matter of millimetres or milliseconds can make the difference between finishing first or last. Aerodynamics are checked constantly for any extra speed, the cars are fine-tuned with the latest data to make them go faster and faster. All parts will be updated at a cost of millions of pounds if it means the car will go a simple second quicker.
“Data is becoming increasingly important – not just in the world of Formula One, but the world in general. In F1, we use our data on our relentless search for performance, across all functions of the team – both at the track and at the factory,”
Toto Wolff - Head of Mercedes F1
Even the driving styles of each driver is manipulated with guidance from the computers for every corner - what line to take, when to brake, how much to brake. Every lap is...
What can you find in a DAISI QLA?
Detailed Analysis by Topic | Question | Pupil | Cohort
DAISI Education have been making Question Level Analysis since 2014, helping many schools find the marginal gains they needed to improve their results.
But what do they contain? Let us break it down..
Summary
Whatever assessment you use, you have to start with taking an overall view (for example, how many pupils passed or nearly passed), but also at the important topic strands, seeing how the school is doing, and “producing clear next steps for pupils”.
This analysis gives you a clear starting point - focussing in on the headlines and points for you to focus on as the deeper analysis continues.
“Thank you ever so much for the QLA reports & the subsequent updates. The service we have received from yourselves & the attention to detail have been fantastic. We have found the reports to be incredibly useful & they are helping us to shape...
The whole of education is underpinned by the relationship between the teacher and pupil.
As the quote above from Sidney Hook states, you don't remember how you were taught but you do remember who taught you and what an inspiration they were. You remember the relationship that you formed with your teacher - the personal connection between you that remains with you to this day.
Every pupil has their own personal learning journey.
Teachers have the power to inspire and encourage. Every step of the way, the pupil learns something new - guided and instructed by their teacher and so learn what motivates them, what inspires them and what they want to become as they become older. Over time, they will grow in knowledge, confidence and learn so much about themselves and the world around them.
Remember these wonderful and true words from Ross Crockett..
“If there’s anyone who is in a position to bring positive change into the world...
Back in 2012, at the heart of London Olympics, Sir Dave Brailsford repeatedly told people of his belief in the marginal gains principle.
Speaking to the BBC, he said
“The whole principle came from the idea that if you broke down everything you could think of, that goes into riding a bike, and then improved it by 1%, you will get a significant increase when you put them all together. There’s fitness and conditioning, of course, but there are other things that might seem on the periphery, like sleeping in the right position, having the same pillow when you are away and training in different places. They’re tiny things but if you clump them together it makes a big difference.”
Brailsford believed that if it were possible to make a 1% improvement in a whole host of areas, the cumulative gains would end up being hugely significant. This principle has guided and driven the cycling team to great heights and Brailsford’s...
When working within cycling both at the 2012 Olympics and onwards with the SKY or INEOS racing team, Sir Dave Brailsford employs a significant principal in all he does.
The 1% principal is based on the small changes that TOGETHER make a big change.
As Brailsford said, Speaking to the BBC…
“The whole principle came from the idea that if you broke down everything you could think of, that goes into riding a bike, and then improved it by 1%, you will get a significant increase when you put them all together. There’s fitness and conditioning, of course, but there are other things that might seem on the periphery, like sleeping in the right position, having the same pillow when you are away and training in different places. They’re tiny things but if you clump them together it makes a big difference.”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-34247629
He believed that if it were possible to make a 1% improvement in a whole host of areas, the cumulative gains would end...
How does a Question Level Analysis fit with the new Ofsted Inspection Framework?
When the new Ofsted Inspection Framework came out in 2019, we noticed a real shift in how assessment was viewed with the focus on teaching and learning and not on data.
Inspectors will ask...
What you are drawing from your assessment data?How that is informing your curriculum?How has that informed class teaching?
https://youtu.be/nj-cK6S0OCU
This article is available as a video here..
Ofsted Inspection Handbook
The draft Ofsted Inspection Handbook says that:
170. When used effectively, assessment helps pupils to embed knowledge and use it fluently, and assists teachers in producing clear next steps for pupils. …171. Inspectors will therefore evaluate how assessment is used in the school to support the teaching of the curriculum…
So therefore, whatever assessment you use has to start with
taking an overall view (for example, how many pupils passed or nearly passed),
but also at the important topic strands, seeing how the school is doing, and
“producing clear...
