The Education (Assessment Arrangements) (Foundation to Key Stage 3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order specifies the assessment arrangements for pupils in Foundation Stage to Key Stage 3. It will come into operation on a phased basis from 2007/08 to 2009/10.

Article 3 places a general duty on school principals to make arrangements for pupils to be assessed in each school year. Pupils are required to be assessed using a computer-based assessment method (for literacy and numeracy) in the autumn term. NICCEA will provide guidance as to how this assessment should be carried out and the Department will specify the computer-based assessment method that all teachers must use when assessing pupils in certain year groups in Key Stages 1 and 2. The Department may also specify a computer-based assessment method to be used to assess pupils in Foundation Stage, the first year of Key Stage 1, or Key Stage 3. The results of these assessments must be provided in writing to parents by the end of the autumn term. Principals must also offer parents a meeting to discuss the results with their child’s teacher. Principals must also provide information on the results of these assessments to NICCEA in the form and by the date it requires. (Article 4).

In each school year, teachers are required to assess pupils in the areas of learning, the cross-curricular skills and other skills (Article 5). Teachers are required to assess the cross-curricular skills of pupils in Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 with reference to the levels of progression, which will be specified in an order made by the Department.

Principals must provide information on the results of each pupil’s assessment in the cross-curricular skills to NICCEA in the form and by the date it requires.

Article 6 provides for exemptions from the assessment arrangements in certain specified cases.

The provisions of this Order come into operation on a phased basis, as set out in Schedule 1.