New quality assessment documents sidestep Eltis

By Jennifer Leete

Despite the fact both the Department of Education and Training (DET) and the Office of the Board of Studies are engaging in consultations which have big implications for assessment and reporting K-6, DET has released two new assessment documents to schools.

Quality Teaching in NSW Public Schools: Continuing the discussion about Assessment practice and Quality Teaching in NSW Public Schools: An assessment practice guide are a further stage in the NSW Quality Teaching Model, developed by Professor Jenny Gore and Dr James Ludwig from Newcastle University.

The DET consultation arises from the report of Professor Ken Eltis on his evaluation of the implementation of outcomes based assessment and reporting. The Quality Teaching Assessment materials make no reference to possible changes arising from Professor Eltis' Time to Teach -- Time to Learn report.

While the two things are not necessarily contradictory, teachers may be forgiven for wondering whether one part of DET knows what the other part is doing.

The assessment practice guide includes suggestions for "coding" assessment tasks against 14 elements, grouped under the headings, the three dimensions of the NSW Quality Teaching model: Intellectual quality; Quality Learning Environment; and Significance.

It is important that all members who consider the support materials understand the warning contained in it: "It is important to reiterate that the purpose of this guide is to support teachers' professional learning and practice. The coding process described in this guide should be used only where teachers have agreed to its use in relation to their work. The guide is not intended to be used for the purpose of teacher assessment. Any use for this purpose has the potential to undermine its value in supporting teacher professional learning and dialogue."

Jennifer Leete is the Deputy President.

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