High stakes testing, accountability, incentives and consequences in English schools

Policy and Politics

Volumn 38, Issue 1, 2010, Pages 23-39

  West, Anne ^a  

^a LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS   (United Kingdom)

Author keywords

Accountability; High stakes testing; Indicators; Market reforms

Indexed keywords

EID: 77953709261     PISSN: 03055736     EISSN: 14708442     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: None     Document Type: Article

References (70)

1. Allen, R. and West, A. (2009: forthcoming) 'Religious schools in London: school admissions, religious composition and selectivity, Oxford Review of Education, vol 35, no 4.
2. Amrein, A.L. and Berliner, D.C. (2002) 'High-stakes testing, uncertainty, and student learning', Education Policy Analysis Archives, vol 10, no 18, http://epaa.asu.edu/ epaa/v10n18/
3. Atkinson, T. (2005) Atkinson Review final report: Measurement of government output and productivity for the national accounts, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, www.statistics. gov.uk/about/data/methodology/specific/PublicSector/Atkinson/downloads/ Atkinson_Report_Full.pdf
4. Atkinson, T., Cantillon, B., Marlier, E. and Nolan, B. (2005) Taking forward the EU inclusion process, ID: 11-05-0180-E, Luxembourg: Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of the European Union, www.ceps.lu/actualites/details/event_28/ attachments/final_report.pdf
5. BBC News (2008a) Tables 'restrict A-level choices', 28 April, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7367133.stm
6. BBC News (2008b) 'Imperial may set own entry test', 3 June, http://news.bbc. co.uk/1/hi/education/7434463.stm
7. Bell, K. and West, A (2003) 'Specialist schools: an exploration of competition and co-operation', Educational Studies, vol 29, no 2/3: 273-89.
8. Braun, A., Noden, P., Hind, A., McNally, S. and West, A. (2005) Final report of the Evaluation of the Pupil Learning Credits Pilot Scheme, Research Report 687, London: Department for Education and Skills, www.dfes.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/ RR687.pdf
9. Brooks, R. and Tough, S. (2006) Assessment and testing: Making space for teaching and learning, London: Institute for Public Policy Research.
10. Chitty, C. (1989) Towards a new educational system: The victory of the New Right, London: RoutledgeFalmer.
11. Coe, R. (2008) 'Comparability of GCSE examinations in different subjects: an application of the Rasch model', Oxford Review of Education, vol 34, no 5: 609-36.
12. Coe, R., Searle, J., Barmby, P., Jones, K. and Higgins, S. (2008) Relative difficulty of examinations in different subjects, Durham: CEM Centre, Durham University, www.cemcentre.org/documents/news/SCORE2008summary.pdf
13. Currie, C., Roberts, C., Morgan, A., Smith, R., Settertobult, W. and Samdal, O. (eds) (2004) Young people's health in context: International report from HBSC 2001/02 survey, WHO Policy Series: Health policy for children and adolescents, Issue 4, Copenhagen: World Health Organization, www.hbsc.org/downloads/IntReport04/HBSCFullReport0102.pdf
14. DCSF (Department for Children, Schools and Families) (2008a) What are specialist schools?, London: DCSF, www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/specialistschools/what_are/?version=1
15. DCSF (2008b) Current projects of the Academies Programme, London: DCSF, www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/academies/projects/?version=1
16. DCSF (2008c) Specialist schools guidance 2008, London: DCSF, www.standards.dfes. gov.uk/specialistschools/guidance2008/?version=1
17. DCSF (2008d) National Challenge Strategy launched to ensure more children get better GCSEs, London: DCSF, www.dfes.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2008_0109
18. DCSF (2008e) National Challenge: A toolkit for schools and local authorities, London: DCSF, www.dcsf.gov.uk/nationalchallenge/downloads/7715-National%20 ChallengeWEB.pdf
19. DCSF (2008f) New school report card announced as part of major reforms to school accountability, London: DCSF, www.dcsf.gov.uk/localauthorities/index.cfm?actio n=content&contentID=16543&letter=N
20. DCSF (2008g) A school report card: Consultation document, DCSF and Ofsted, London: DCSF, http://publications.dcsf.gov.uk/eOrderingDownload/01045-2008DOMEN. pdf
21. DCSF (2008h) Numbers taking maths and science A levels rise English and languages also on the up, London: DCSF, www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2008_0174
22. DCSF (2009) GCSE and equivalent examination results in England 2007/08 (revised), London: DCSF
23. General Teaching Council for England (2008) Hearings, www.gtce.org.uk/standards/ hearings/
24. Golden, S., Knight, S., O'Donnell, L., Smith, P. and Sims, D. (2002) Learning Mentors' Strand Study: Excellence in Cities report 16/2002, Slough: National Foundation for Educational Research.
25. Goldstein, H. (2004) 'Education for all: the globalization of learning targets', Comparative Education, vol 40, no 1: 7-14.
26. Goldstein, H. and Noden, P. (2003) 'Modelling social segregation', Oxford Review of Education, vol 29, no 2: 225-37.
27. Gorard, S., Taylor, C. and Fitz, J. (2003) Schools, markets and choice policies, London: RoutledgeFalmer.
28. Hansard (House of Commons) (2008) Assessments: Maladministration, Parliamentary answer, 10 March, www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/ cm080310/text/80310w0038.htm
29. Harlen, W. (2007) The quality of learning: Assessment alternatives for primary education, Primary Review Research Survey 3/4, Cambridge: Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge.
30. HM Treasury (2003) Every child matters, Cm 5860, London: The Stationery Office
31. HM Treasury (2008) 2007 Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review: Public Service Agreements (revised April 2008): PSA Delivery Agreement 10, PSA Delivery Agreement 11, London: Stationery Office, www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/ pbr_csr07_psa10_11.pdf
32. House of Commons Children, Schools and Families Committee (2008) Testing and assessment, Third Report of Session 2007-08, Volume 1, London: The Stationery Office
33. Kendall, L., O'Donnell, L., Golden, S., Ridley, K., Machin, S., Rutt, S., McNally, S., Schagen, I., Meghir, C., Stoney, S., Morris, M., West, A. and Noden, P. (2005) Excellence in Cities: The national evaluation of a policy to raise standards in urban schools 2000-2003, Research Report 675a, London: Department for Education and Skills.
34. Le Grand, J. and Bartlett, W. (eds) (1993) Quasi-markets and social policy, London: Macmillan.
35. McGaw, B., Gipps, C. and Godber, R. (2004) Examination standards, London: Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.
36. MORI (2005) Telephone omnibus, London: MORI
37. Mullis, I., Martin, M., Gonzalez, E. and Kennedy, A. (2003) PIRLS 2001 international report: IEA's study of reading literacy achievement in primary schools, Chestnut Hill, MA: Boston College.
38. NAA (National Assessment Agency) (2006) National Curriculum tests 2005: Managing allegations of maladministration, London: NAA
39. NAA (2008) National Curriculum assessments: 2007 maladministration report, London: NAA
40. NAO (National Audit Office) (2003) Making a difference: Performance of maintained secondary schools in England, London: NAO
41. NAO (2008) Mathematics performance in secondary schools: Getting the best results, London: NAO
42. Noden, P. (2001) Excellence in Cities: Teacher characteristics, expectations and attitudes, Slough: NFER, www.nfer.ac.uk/publications/other-publications/downloadablereports/ teacher-characteristics-expectations-and-attitudes.cfm
43. OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) (2001) Knowledge and skills for life: First results from PISA 2000, Paris: OECD
44. OECD (2007) PISA 2006 science competencies for tomorrow's world: Volume 1 analysis, Paris: OECD
45. OECD (2008) Measuring improvements in learning outcomes: Best practices to assess the value-added of schools, Paris: OECD
46. Ofsted (2008) After the inspection, London: Ofsted, www.ofsted.gov.uk/portal/site/ Internet/menuitem.455968b0530071c4828a0d8308c08a0c/?vgnextoid=a71a69 9bd3c21110VgnVCM1000003507640aRCRD
47. ONS (Office for National Statistics) (2007) Public service productivity: Education: Summary, London: ONS, www.ons.gov.uk/about-statistics/ukcemga/publicationshome/ publications/archive/public-service-productivity--education-summary.pdf
48. Pennell, H. and West, A. (2009) 'Campaigns by parents to set up new schools in England: issues and barriers', Educational Studies, vol 35, no 1: 37-52.
49. Reynolds, D., Sammons, P., Stoll, L., Barber, M. and Hillman, J. (1997) 'School effectiveness and school improvement in the United Kingdom', in A. Harris, N. Bennett and M. Preedy (1997) Organizational effectiveness and improvement in education, Buckingham: Open University Press.
50. Robinson, C. and Fielding, M. (2007) Children and their primary schools: Pupils' voices, Cambridge: Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge.
51. Sibieta, L., Chowdry, H. and Muriel, A. (2008) Level playing field? The implications of school funding, London: Institute for Fiscal Studies.
52. Smith, A. (2004) Making mathematics count: The report of Professor Adrian Smith's inquiry into post-14 mathematics education, London: The Stationery Office.
53. SSAT (2007) Your guide to trust schools, London: SSAT, www.ssatrust.org.uk/trustschools2/test/default.aspa
54. Statistics Commission (2005) Measuring standards in English primary schools, Report Number 23, London: The Statistics Commission
55. The Guardian (2003) 'Reprimand for head who "improved" Sats answers', The Guardian, 8 May, www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/may/08/schools.sats
56. The Guardian (2008a) 'Tables blamed for drop in languages uptake', The Guardian, 10 January, http://education.guardian.co.uk/secondaries/story/0,2237995,00.html
57. The Guardian (2008b) 'A league table to worry us all', The Guardian, 8 January, http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/comment/story/0,2236685,00.html
58. Times Educational Supplement (2008a) 'Ethical code for exams', 2 May, www.apcessex. org/apc/custom/files_uploaded/partnership_management/TES%20summary%20 2.5.08.doc
59. Times Educational Supplement (2008b) 'Less able pupils culled', 25 April, www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=2612708
60. Tomlinson, M. (2002) Inquiry into A level standards, London: Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.
61. Twist, L., Schagen, I. and Hodgson, C. (2007) Readers and reading: National report for England 2006 (PIRLS: Progress in International Reading Literacy Study), Slough: NFER.
62. Tymms, P. and Merrell, C. (2007) Standards and quality in English primary schools over time: The national evidence, Primary Review Research Survey, 4/1, Cambridge: Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge.
63. Walford, G. (1997) 'Sponsored grant-maintained schools: extending the franchise?', Oxford Review of Education, vol 23, no 1: 31-44.
64. West, A. (2006) 'School choice, equity and social justice: the case for more control', British Journal of Educational Studies, vol 54, no 1: 15-33.
65. West, A. and Currie, P. (2008) 'The role of the private sector in publicly-funded schooling in England: finance, delivery and decision making', Policy & Politics, vol 36, no 2: 191-207.
66. West, A. and Pennell, H. (2003) Underachievement in schools, London: RoutledgeFalmer.
67. West, A., Hind, A. and Pennell, H. (2004) 'School admissions and "selection" in comprehensive schools: policy and practice', Oxford Review of Education, vol 30, no 3: 347-69.
68. West, A., Ingram, D. and Hind, A. (2006) 'Skimming the cream? Admissions to charter schools in the US and autonomous schools in England', Educational Policy, vol 20, no 4: 615-39.
69. Wiggins, A. and Tymms, P. (2002) 'Dysfunctional effects of league tables: a comparison between English and Scottish primary schools', Public Management and Money, vol 22, no 1: 43-8.
70. Wilson, D., Croxson, B. and Atkinson, A. (2006) 'What gets measured gets done', Policy Studies, vol 27, no 2: 153-71.