Additional support for learning: action plan (updated October 2021)

1.2 Measurement

Recommendation

To ensure that there is no reduction in aspiration and ambition for all children and young people to achieve to the maximum of their learning potential, a national measurement framework for additional support for learning must be developed. The National Improvement Framework must be revised to ensure parity for additional support for learning.

Response

Accept

Actions to be taken forward - Oct 2020

ASLIG will develop a national measurement framework which draws on information from a range of sources. This should include evidence from professionals, including Allied Health Professionals. This measurement framework will seek to record outcomes for children and young people and the impact of different support interventions.

As part of this work, ASLIG will consider how this information can be presented in an accessible and meaningful way to ensure that impact can be measured.

To support this, from 2021 the National Improvement Framework and Improvement Plan (NIF) will recognise the development of the national measurement framework for additional support for learning, and its progress will be monitored as part of the NIF.

Aligned to actions to be taken forward outlined at 1.1.3, ADES will use their mapping exercise to shape proposals for meaningful outcome measures aligned to the National Improvement Framework.

Delivery Timescale

ASLIG continue to develop a National Measurement Framework as part of their Workplan.

It is anticipated that a national measurement framework will be published in Spring 2022.

Status Oct 2021

On-going / on track

Progress made:

ASLIG established a Measurement Subgroup in October 2020. Drawing on a mapping exercise carried out by ADES, the group collated a draft measurement framework, comprising measures and tools currently being used across Scotland.

In February 2021, the Scottish Government invited the National Autism Implementation Team (NAIT) to submit a Critical Friend Report, considering where ASLIG had reached in development of the draft measurement framework and offering areas for further development, including the importance of cross sector measurement in health and education. Following this, ASLIG invited NAIT to be involved in the work to advance the development of the draft measurement framework and the co-production of an output.

Rather than creating a separate and distinct set of measures for children with additional support needs, it was agreed that the framework will recommend a set of measures for all children, whether or not they have a stated or recognised additional support need. It will aim to measure the impact of the implementation of additional support for learning legislation and will be integrated into the main National Improvement Framework report.

The draft National Measurement Framework has been informed by the Young Ambassadors' vision statement for success. A set of aims, aligned to UNCRC and structured around the four principles of Inclusion (present, participating, achieving, supported) have been agreed by the sub group. Members have identified a comprehensive set of desired changes, which have been reviewed and accepted by ASLIG. The sub group will now consider specific sources of evidence required and actions to achieve the aims.

ASLIG intend to communicate with stakeholders in an accessible and meaningful way to ensure that impact of this work can be measured. In addition to an annual report, to be co-created with children and young people and their families, links will be made with other initiatives around exam results time which provide opportunities to celebrate and promote the successes and achievements of children and young people in equivalence to exams and attainment. It is anticipated that the national measurement framework will be published in Spring 2022.

1.2.1

Recommendation

This framework must be rooted in improvement methodology and assist in reinforcing a culture of improvement rather than compliance. The main objective of measurement and recording will be to support local improvement rather than comparisons between Authorities.

Response

Accept

Actions to be taken forward - Oct 2020

The national measurement framework will be rooted in improvement methodology and will seek to support local improvement across local authorities.

ADES will work with members of ASLIG in the use of improvement methodology and promote its use at local authority level.

Delivery Timescale

It is anticipated that a national measurement framework will be published in Spring 2022.

Status Oct 2021

On-going / on track

Progress made:

Linked to recommendation 1.2 above, work to develop a national measurement framework is rooted in improvement methodology. The Critical Friend report submitted by NAIT provides detailed reflection on the need to start with the desired change before identifying measures. This approach has been welcomed by the Measurement sub-group and has been used to inform their work to develop the framework. The sub-group have agreed the use of existing measures with a focus on positive outcomes within a culture of inclusive practice to measure the impact of the implementation of additional support for learning legislation.

1.2.2

Recommendation

The test measures must recognise that qualifications are not relevant learning objectives for all children and young people and those children and young people are not failures because of that. The Milestones to Support Learners with Complex Additional Support Needs, introduced in 2018 along with the Curriculum review, are positive reference points and should be taken into account.

Response

Accept

Actions to be taken forward - Oct 2020

The national measurement framework will draw on a broad range of data and information to ensure that children and young people's successes and achievements can be fully recognised and celebrated.

Aligned to actions identified at 1.1.3 and 1.2, ADES will use their mapping exercise to shape proposals for meaningful outcome measures aligned to the NIF.

Delivery Timescale

It is anticipated that a national measurement framework will be published in Spring 2022.

Status Oct 2021

On-going / on track

Progress made:

The mapping exercise completed by ADES highlights the breadth of data already collected. The work of the Measurement sub-group has included how to utilise this data and identify any gaps to ensure that the breadth of successes and achievements of children and young people can be monitored and celebrated. The sub-group are considering how to effectively align with the National Improvement Framework in the draft National Measurement Framework. It is anticipated that the national measurement framework will be published in Spring 2022.

1.2.3

Recommendation

The measures must value and ensure visibility of the diverse range of achievements, including in vocational learning, that are possible for all children and young people with additional support needs and reflect what they and their families feel are important for their (future) quality of life.

Response

Accept

Actions to be taken forward - Oct 2020

In developing the measurement framework, the Scottish Government and Local Government will work with partners in ASLIG to ensure that the information and data which is collected, accurately reflects the diverse range of achievements of children and young people, within a context of learning for life.

This will be aligned to actions taken forward at 1.1 and 1.1.3.

Delivery Timescale

It is anticipated that a national measurement framework will be published in Spring 2022.

Status Oct 2021

On-going / on track

Progress made:

The mapping exercise carried out by ADES includes a diverse range of achievements of children and young people. The sub-group identified at an early stage of their work, the need to measure participation and engagement of all children and young people and this has been reflected in the development of the draft National Measurement Framework.

1.2.4

Recommendation

The investment in Pupil Support Assistants must be measured for impact and improvement on children and young people experiences and achievement. Local authority and school managers must plan a strategy to review the deployment of Pupil Support Assistants which takes account of recommendations from current national research Education Endowment Fund (2018).

Response

Accept

Actions to be taken forward - Oct 2020

As part of its work to develop a measurement framework, set out at 1.2, ASLIG will consider how to include measuring the impact of Pupil Support Assistants. This will seek to support local authorities in their planning and deployment of Pupil Support Assistants.

As part of this work, ASLIG will consider drawing on range of research and evidence to inform its approach. This will include the work of the Education Endowment Fund.

COSLA and Scottish Government will ensure the learning is circulated to schools and Local Authorities to aid planning.

Delivery Timescale

Research will be commissioned by April 2022.

Status Oct 2021

Ongoing – on track

Progress made:

Aligned to work being taken forward at 5.2, the Scottish Government are scoping out a proposal for research which will consider the implementation factors associated with effective workforce development and deployment within the Pupil Support Staff workforce. This research will be commissioned by April 2022. This research will inform further development of the National Measurement Framework which will be reviewed, beginning June 2023.

1.2.5

Recommendation

A plan must be developed and implemented to test how the National Performance Framework can be expanded to include achievement measures which go beyond the current narrow parameters of attainment and qualifications (based on the National Performance Framework values )

Response

Accept.

Actions to be taken forward - Oct 2020

The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, requires Scottish Ministers to consult on, develop and publish a new set of National Outcomes for Scotland and to review them at least every five years.

Additional measures will be considered during the next review of the National Performance Framework, which must be started by June 2023

Delivery Timescale

The review of the National Performance Framework is due to start by June 2023.

Status Oct 2021

On-going / on track

Progress made:

The Scottish Government will consider the addition of additional measures during the next review of the National Performance Framework, which must be started by June 2023.