Primary Mathematics and Spelling - testing for teaching

PRS publishes some excellent tests for teachers to use to determine what aspects of mathematics or spelling the children do not understand. Teachers can then teach the topic or topics so that the children, when they see the next level of the tests a year later, can master that content. Thus we call this "testing for teaching" because the intention is not to grade the students as in the national testing, but rather to reveal quickly what children do and do not know so that planned teaching can follow.

If a school uses testing for teaching early in a year, then by Easter [if using PRS' marking service or by hand scoring] teachers will know what is known and what is not by their children. This information can be looked at across whole grades or for individual children. The visual progress charting with the tests, allows teachers and parents to see information relative to other children, grades or content. In spelling the tests reveal what confusions English may have caused allowing teachers to correct the learning and help the children to get it right!

Unfortunately we do not have tests of reading at this time.