Federation has continued to pursue teacher concerns regarding the implementation of learning progressions and the use of PLAN2 in Early Action for Success schools and others.
The Department has confirmed that Early Action for Success schools may choose to monitor 5-10 students in each class from K-2 against the learning progressions for the seven identified sub-elements or monitor all K-2 students against just one literacy and one numeracy sub-element then enter the assessment information in PLAN2. This will continue in 2019. No requirements have been set out for Early Action for Success schools in years 3-6.
The use of learning progressions with or without PLAN2 in other schools is optional.
It is important that at a school level there is discussion around any decision for schools to “opt in”. Consultation should include how the learning progressions will be implemented and whether this includes using PLAN2.
Similarly schools that have already “opted in” may want to review the current implementation processes in terms of student learning and workload demands.
It is important that schools (other than Early Action for Success ) consider the information provided by the Department in making decision about the use of learning progressions with or without PLAN2.
In correspondence on 12 October the Department answered questions posed by Federation, as follows:
Why doesn’t the Department allow teachers to exercise their professional judgement in determining whether to use progressions and or PLAN2 with individual students or classes?
Schools can choose to use selected sub-elements of the progressions with or without PLAN2 with individual students, small groups, classes or stages as best aligns with student learning needs.
The progressions support teachers in their professional judgments. With the availability of the learning progressions, the department is supporting teachers to make their own decisions and determine teaching priorities to support learning and development.
Are the comments by teachers retained? If so, how long are these records kept?
Observations captured within PLAN2 are linked to the student’s SRN so will be viewable by teachers in schools in which that student is enrolled.
Who can access the data? Who owns the data?
Permissions are given at a school level via the Access Management Utility (AMU). The protocol around data use and access is currently being developed, taking into consideration privacy requirements, confidentiality, sensitivity and data quality.
Joan Lemaire, Deputy President