Shaping Educational Assessment Policy in Small Nations and States
Education systems internationally have found difficulty in developing and putting into practice assessment policy that is well-aligned with curriculum and pedagogy and embedded in research and practice. UofG research led by Professor Louise Hayward has addressed this issue to shape educational policy in Scotland and underpin the co-design of a new curriculum in Wales.
Find out more about:
- Professor Louise Hayward
- Mr George MacBride
- Dr Kara Makara Fuller
- Dr David Morrison-Love
- Dr Srabani Maitra
Contact: Louise.Hayward@glasgow.ac.uk 07966 916326
The research
Scotland was one of the first countries to initiate a nationwide assessment system called Assessment for Learning (AfL).
AfL was designed to be research-informed, well-aligned with curriculum and pedagogy, and with the intention to make a real difference to practice in classrooms.
Within this context, UofG research addressed policy enactment—'what matters’ to secure alignment of policy, practice and research to ensure impact that is sustainable.
This work led to a new model of change, ‘Change with Integrity’, which was further refined by Professor Hayward’s research team.
A former Minister of Education recognised the world-leading nature of this integrated work across policy, research and practice as a ‘quiet revolution’ in Scottish education.
The impact
In Scotland, the research has helped to shape the development and implementation of the National Improvement Framework, by presenting evidence to support a model in which assessment is reconceptualised as learning.
From 2017 onwards, the UofG principles of co-construction have been adopted by the Welsh Government. Curriculum design is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and it is highly unusual for researchers to have direct influence, as has been the case with the CAMAU project.
In July 2020, the Welsh Government introduced the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill to the Senedd. The proposed legislation makes specific reference to CAMAU research.
The Welsh Government plans to phase the introduction of the new curriculum from September 2022, which will impact approximately 22,000 teachers and 469,000 pupils.
Additionally, the research supported the establishment—on Professor Hayward’s initiative—of the International Educational Assessment Network (IEAN) in 2018.
The IEAN comprises senior researchers and policymakers from 13 small nations or states that share in common the close collaborative networks advocated by the change model developed at the UofG.