Single level tests

In January 2007, the Department for Children, Schools and Families launched a consultation paper (Making good progress – how can we help every pupil to make good progress at school?), which proposed a two-year Making Good Progress pilot in a national sample of schools to trial ways to improve pupils' progress throughout the key stages.

The pilot started in September 2007 and will run until July 2009. It contains a number of strands, one of which is assessing pupils' progress using single level tests (SLTs). The NAA has been commissioned to develop and provide guidance for the administration of the SLTs.

The SLT element of the pilot will run from December 2007 until June 2009 across 10 local authorities. Each year, tests can be taken in December and June. Pupils from year 3 to 9 can sit SLTs in English reading, English writing and maths. During the trial, pilot schools will continue to administer the national curriculum tests in May to pupils at the end of key stages 2 or 3 in English, maths and science.

The first SLTs took place in early December 2007 and dates for 2008 and 2009 will be made available shortly.