1 InCAS Update for Teachers June 2011. 2 Learning Intentions With reference to InCAS, teachers will...

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InCAS

Update for Teachers

June 2011

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Learning Intentions

With reference to InCAS, teachers will be aware of:

• Current information from the Department of Education ; • The 5 key processes involved in managing the assessments; • Interpreting data at class and pupil level;• Remediation strategies provided by CEM; • Requirements for sharing information with parents and pupils; • Current CCEA Help and Support ; and

Will have the opportunity to:

• Complete data analysis activities • Share best practice.

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Introduction to InCAS

Interactive Computerised Assessment System:

• is a computer-based diagnostic assessment which is adaptive

• focuses on the pupil as an individual

• selects the initial question based on the pupil’s age

• presents further questions in response to the pupil’s answers

Ref: Information for Teachers-2009 p.9

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“The primary purpose of InCAS assessments is to contribute to diagnostic support for pupils’ learning – it is not to compare pupils.”

“ InCAS …. provides assessments in Reading and General Maths and optional associated assessments and is an integral part of our wider, collective efforts to raise outcomes in literacy and numeracy for all young people.”

Paragraphs 4,7 - DE Circular 2010/20

Purpose of InCAS

InCAS Exemptions

• Pupils with a statement of special educational needs who has been assessed as having severe learning difficulties.

• Pupils exempted from any of the requirements of the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.

• New Irish Medium Primary School or unit does

not have to carry out the InCAS in the school year in which it first becomes grant-aided.

Paragraph 27 - DE Circular 2010/20

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“The interests of pupils rather than institutions must be at the centre of efforts to improve educational achievement and tackle underachievement.”

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InCAS

Circular Number: 2011/10

Subject: Count, read: succeed -A Strategy to Improve

Outcomes in Literacy and Numeracy

13th May 2011

www.deni.gov.uk

http://www.deni.gov.uk/

Key elements of the strategy

• a) The revised curriculum, which has literacy and numeracy at its core.

• (b) Revised assessment arrangements that complement the curriculum and attach priority to progression in literacy and numeracy.

• (c) Supporting the central role of teachers in raising pupil attainment.

• (d) Early intervention to address underachievement.• (e) Engaging parents, families and communities.• (f) More effectively identifying and sharing the best

practice that exists in so many schools…

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InCAS Assessments in N.I.2007-2008

2008-2009

2009-2010

2010-2011

Reading 881 Schools25846 Pupils

880 Schools46715 Pupils



General Maths





Developed Ability





Mental Arithmetic





Spelling 450 Schools13742 Pupils




Attitudes





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Session 2

5 Key Processes

School / Classroom Management

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Using InCAS: Key processes

Creating the Assessments

Completing the Assessments

Sending the Assessments for Marking

Accessing and Understanding Feedback

Using the Information

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InCAS – Practical Guidance for Teachers

• Creating the assessments

• Completing the assessments

• Sending the assessments for marking

• Accessing and understanding the feedback

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School Preparation Booklet

Best Practice Suggestions:• A meeting with relevant staff early in the Autumn term

• One person nominated to have responsibility for conducting the Preparation of the InCAS software

• Early decision as to whether you intend to use InCAS with Year groups outside of 4, 5, 6 & 7

• Consider use of Non-statutory InCAS assessments

• Consider the computer resources in your school

• Ensure that InCAS 11-12 software is installed on the required computers

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Key Processes

COMPLETING THE ASSESSMENTS

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Completing the Assessments

• Build the InCAS assessments into your timetables;

• Take account of when you intend to give the age-equivalent outcomes in writing to parents and hold parent meetings;

• Ensure all relevant staff are familiar with:– the September 2011 ‘Information for Teachers Using

InCAS’ manual; and – CEM Remediation Guidance (Literacy & Numeracy

documents).

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Initial Teacher Preparation

Ensure that pupils:• are familiar with the computer/laptop that they will be

using for the assessments, especially if they will be using a touchpad

• understand the assessments they will be completing and have had an opportunity to view the Inky Pupil Demo to help prepare for the assessments available from www.nicurriculum.org.uk

• have sufficient time to complete the assessment/s. Once

an assessment is started it cannot be paused• have pencil and paper to complete the General Maths

assessmentRef: Information for Teachers-2009 p.22

http://www.nicurriculum.org.uk/

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Teacher Preparation Summary

Assessment Preparation

Teachers should check that:• they have the password list for the Class• all pupils are listed and their details are correct• wireless laptops (if used) are within ‘range’ of the wireless

network connection• laptop batteries are sufficiently charged• the sound is working on all the computers/laptops.• there are a sufficient number of working headphones and that

these are plugged in firmly—also ensuring the sound is not set too loud.


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Teacher Preparation Summary

Remember pupils should not:

• be given help to answer the questions during the assessments

• use calculators, number lines etc. during maths assessments

• use pencil and paper for the Mental Arithmetic assessment

• leave the computer before completing the assessment• repeat assessments


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General Maths:Example

X X X X X

This assessment produced a General

Maths Age of 7yrs 9m for Marina.

X X X X X

5yrs 4m 10yrs

7yrs 4m 9yrs 2m

7yrs 6m 8yrs 4m

7yrs 7m 8yrs 2m

This is the age range covered during this set of

questions.

Pupils are asked several sets of questions to give them a number of chances to demonstrate their ability.

The number of questions in each

set may vary depending on how many right answers

a child gives..

X X X X X

X X X X X

To give her a good chance of getting the first question correct InCAS chose a

question which is targeted at a pupil younger than her

actual age.

Marina’s actual age is 7yrs 3m.

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Key Processes SENDING THE ASSESSMENTS

FOR MARKING

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Assessment Marking

• As each pupil completes an InCAS assessment their data will be saved automatically onto your school system

• For ease, schools should ideally wait until all pupils have finished InCAS before sending assessments for marking.

• Once your assessments have been uploaded, your data will be analysed and charts and tables produced. It is recommended that you allow 24-48 hours for this to occur.

• You will need your school’s unique User Name and Password to complete this process.


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Key Processes ACCESSING AND UNDERSTANDING

FEEDBACK

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Types of Feedback


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Standard Feedback


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Scores Chart

Achievement

General Maths Modules


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Understanding Data

• Reading Assessment:

Minimum age equivalent outcome is 4 years.

If a pupil’s combined Word Recognition and Word Decoding outcomes are low they will not be given a Comprehension passage

- in this case the Reading Age will be based on their Word Recognition, Word Decoding and the minimum Comprehension outcome.

• General Maths Assessment:

Minimum age equivalent outcome is 3 years.

Along with an overall General Maths outcome pupils will receive a breakdown for Number, Measures Shape & Space and Handling Data - if they have answered a sufficient number of questions in a consistent manner. If not - this will be indicated with a # symbol in the feedback.


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Missing Outcomes

Issue:Pupils have completed assessments but their outcomes are not in the feedback.

Check that:• assessments have been sent for marking once they

were done; and• the whole process has been completed e.g. you must

transfer and upload the assessments.

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* Asterisks in Reading *

You should never see an asterisk for Reading if there are outcomes for Word Recognition, Word Decoding or Comprehension.If a pupil has a Reading outcome you should never see an asterisk for their Word Recognition or Word Decoding.

If a pupil has average or high Word Recognition and Word Decoding outcomes you should never see an asterisk under their Comprehension.

An overall Reading outcome should be available to report to parents for all pupils who complete the assessment.

Any queries in relation to asterisks please phone the Helpdesk 028 9026 1274

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Age Comparison Chart


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St. Ita’s PS - Case Study

This case study outlines in practical terms one school’s approach to:

• managing their InCAS assessments;• analysing the feedback data; and• using the data to assist their teaching planning.

The case study can be found in the InCAS section on www.nicurriculum.org.uk and is divided into 3 video clips.


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Example Pupil Scores Table

Case Study 2

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www.nicurriculum.org.uk/key_stages_1_and_2/assessment/InCAS/case_studies/index.asp

http://www.nicurriculum.org.uk/key_stages_1_and_2/assessment/InCAS/case_studies/index.asp

http://www.nicurriculum.org.uk/key_stages_1_and_2/assessment/InCAS/case_studies/index.asp

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Key Processes USING THE DATA

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Using InCAS Outcomes

Pupil LevelMonitoring individual pupil progress – to ensure every pupil is reaching his or her full potential.

Class LevelHelp teachers plan their teaching during the school year to meet the needs of pupils in their classrooms.

School LevelSelf-evaluation Development planning Target-setting

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Diagnosing and Remediating Literacy Problems

Using InCAS Software

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Reading - an interactive compensatory process

Word Recognition/Word Decoding

Comprehension

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Reading Difficulties

Phonological Deficit(Word Decoding)

Visual Memory(Word Recognition)

Speed of Processing(Comprehension)

These can overlap

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Comprehension

Factors Contributing to Text Comprehension:

1. Knowledge of text structures

2. Vocabulary

3. Background knowledge

4. Fluent word recognition and decoding

5. Task persistence

6. Ability to understand verbal communication

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Diagnosing and Remediating

Mathematical Problems

Using InCAS Software

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Defining Maths Difficulties

• Low attainment: having a score that is below that expected given a pupil’s age.

• Under attainment: having a score that is significantly below that expected given the pupil’s ability.

• Lack of progress: it is a characteristic of weak mathematicians that they fall further behind the most able as they progress through the school. However, it should still be evident that they are making progress.

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Session 3

Working with Parents

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Reporting InCAS Outcomes to Parents 2011

• Schools are required to provide age-equivalent InCAS outcomes for Reading and General Maths to parents in writing during the autumn term for the 2011/12 school year only. New chart available for autumn 2011.

• This information may be presented in either tabular or graphical format, depending on which presentation schools consider is most accessible to parents.

• Schools are required to offer parents a meeting to discuss outcomes by the end of the autumn term.

• Schools should ensure that parents are aware of the primary purpose of InCAS… contributes to diagnostic support for pupils’ learning – not to compare pupils.

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A Parent’s Guide to InCAS - 2011

Insert a screen grab of

the parent leaflet

For more information:

www.nicurriculum.org.uk

During the autumn term • Year 4-7 complete InCAS Reading and General Maths;• Reading and General Maths Ages for this year given to parents in

writing; and• An opportunity to discuss outcomes at a parent meeting.

InCAS:• Focuses on a pupil’s performance on one particular day; • Is not designed to compare pupils with each other;• Is intended to encourage you and your child’s teacher to work

together to support their learning as effectively as possible;• Is not for any purpose related to the transfer of pupils from

primary to post-primary school.

Other information includes:• Where a parent can view the Inky Pupil Demo;• An explanation of InCAS Reading and General Maths; and• An example of how InCAS might assess one pupil’s General

Maths.


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InCAS and Your ChildParent Presentation

Where can I find it?

www.nicurriculum.org.uk

What is this?

This short video with animation was designed to explain InCAS assessments to parents and is presented by Christine Merrell and Stephen Albone (CEM).

How will I use it?

Show it at a group parent meeting.

Suggest parents watch it at home if they need more information about InCAS.


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Session 4

CCEA Support

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New CCEA Support & Resources

• Parent Leaflet (2011)• Information for Teachers Using InCAS in Northern Ireland

2011 including the original Practical guidance document. • InCAS Preparation and Support Booklet (2011) • Case studies on ‘Using InCAS Data’ • Inky Demos for all InCAS assessments• CCEA Definitions Leaflet of the InCAS General Maths

Modules • Revised InCAS and Annual Report online training

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CCEA Definitions of the InCAS General Maths Modules

Senior Managers Considering areas for inclusion in the school development plan.

Key Stage and Numeracy

Co-ordinators

Analysing the performance of whole classes, year groups and key stages.

Teachers and Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators

Setting targets for the learning and teaching of individual pupils.

Teachers Reviewing the progress of the whole class and preparing work for groups of pupils.

What is this?This document provides more information about the particular aspects of Mathematics and

Numeracy in the Northern Ireland Curriculum that are assessed within the modules within

InCAS General Maths.

It may be used by, for example:

Throughout this document all of the references are drawn from The Northern Ireland Curriculum Primary published by CCEA (2007) which is available for download on www.nicurriculum.org.uk


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Key points to remember

1. InCAS questions are chosen based on the pupil’s age and then on their answers. This means that, for example a Key Stage 1 pupil working well beyond their age may view questions normally associated with Key Stage 2;

2. General Maths lasts no longer than 20 minutes and it is not possible to assessevery aspect of Mathematics and Numeracy in the Northern Ireland Curriculum within this short time;

3. Not all aspects of the Northern Ireland Curriculum can be assessed effectivelyon the computer; and

4. Several aspects of Number within Mathematics and Numeracy in the Northern

Ireland Curriculum are assessed in the InCAS Mental Arithmetic assessment, which is optional and need only be completed if a school chooses to do so.

CCEA Definitions of the InCAS General Maths Modules

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InCAS home page

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Evaluation

Please complete the evaluation.

This is important as your comments are valued

and will inform future improvements.

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