Developing an understanding of assessment

As with subject knowledge, assessment is a broad area of the Standards, with many aspects to explore. What does it mean, ‘to be competent' at monitoring and assessment. In addition to considering Standards 3.2.1 to 3.2.7 relating to monitoring and assessment, subject tutors need to discuss the practical context of assessment with mentors and trainees. Resource 5.7.1 offers examples of what one subject tutor and partner mentors thought constituted ‘a grounding' in monitoring and assessment. Trainees need to have a well developed understanding of the purposes of assessment, and of some of the tensions and difficulties in issues of assessment and progression in school history. Each school will have its own assessment policy and it is important that trainees experience different models in placement schools, but also get the chance to analyse and critique the range of practice that exists.