Yellis Tests

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sloughmum
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Nov 22, 2009 7:19 pm

Yellis Tests

Post by sloughmum »

Hi, I am new to this forum so aplogies if this has been done before. My son (Yr 10) has just had his 1st set of grades for this year and along side them were his predicted GCSE grades for KS4 - this is where the cofusion starts for me - he is at a Bucks grammar and is probably 'middle of the road' but his GCSE prediction are all C+ ranging down to C- including PE where is is already working at 'exceptional'. He has already surpassed these targets in most subject (some A- and B's) but when i questioned the school they told me not to worry and he is one of a few who do 'very very well' for the school. They took these tests in year nine but when i googled Yellis it said they were taken in years 10 or 11. Should i be worried about these predictions or just concentrate on his actual levels. Thanks in advance
KB
Posts: 3030
Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:28 pm

Post by KB »

I don't have any knowledge of the tests and hopefully someone will be along with specialist knowledge but to help put your mind at rest, surely the important thing is how he is performing with homework & end of unit tests in each of his subjects now?
If you are worried then surely staff should be able to give you an idea of predicted grades on his current performance?
Being at a Grammar I would have thought the school would have alerted you if they really thought he was going to struggle to get C grades in most of his subjects?
If you are still worried then I really would ask to speak to the Head of Year & not let them go until you have a proper explanation - in normal English not 'education speak' :)
mystery
Posts: 8927
Joined: Tue Jul 21, 2009 10:56 pm

Post by mystery »

Yes I do think you should get a proper explanation. If they say that the predicted grades based on Yellis are rubbish and to ignore them, then I'd ask them what their real predictions are, and how they do them. Every school is supposed to have a good methodology for assessment and prediction aren't they? You can't be the only confused parent.
Bewildered
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Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2006 2:29 pm
Location: Berkshire

Post by Bewildered »

I would think as with CAT's sat in YR7 by numerous Secondary schools, that Yellis sounds similar. It is just a base line that the school start with. Once DC has achieved this, they are taken upwards.
These type of tests are only sat once probably due to cost and logistics involved. Therefore the results are still against DC name on their system, long after they have been achieved. They are only a guide and not the final result.
I agree with the previous poster; what matters more is the day to day results.
DarkEnergy
Posts: 209
Joined: Mon Nov 23, 2009 1:06 pm
Location: Rugby

Post by DarkEnergy »

YELLIS predictions will be based on the test they took and may vary depending if child was having a good or bad day. Usually, the test is accurate on average.

Given a prediction of a C, most students will get a C, some will get D or B and a very few will get E or A, depending on individual circumstances. But on average the prediction from the schools perspective is accurate.

The predicted grade will stand as a prediction and does not change, however actual achievement grades can vary widely and can go up and down and are a more accurate guideline as they are based on more recent and current information.
DEATH rides a white horse named Binky
Sassie'sDad
Posts: 459
Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 3:36 pm
Location: Rugby

Post by Sassie'sDad »

Hi Sloughmum, I think these references will help. The first listed seems to answer directly the question you pose. The test does seem to have been conducted really early. You should be able to get an explanation from the LEA as to why. If they are not forthcoming try the FOI tack.
Introduction:
http://www.yellisproject.org/RenderPage ... D=11518000


http://www.cemcentre.org/Documents/Know ... roject.pdf

Computer Adaptive Test:
http://www.cemcentre.org/RenderPage.asp?LinkID=11518002

Paper Test:
http://www.yellisproject.org/RenderPage ... D=11518001

03/10/08 - Yellis 2008 GCSE Analysis:
http://www.pipsproject.org/RenderPagePr ... D=11510088
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