Using CEM data to track student progress

Tracking student progress

“At the start of each year, teachers use the baseline scores and predictive data from CEM, alongside previous performance and teacher judgement to set aspirational targets. Teachers can track each student’s progress individually and set targets and goals according to each individual’s ability and potential. Having the information from CEM helps teachers plan right from the start of the year.

“The CEM data is a tool to help you. If you don’t know the students at all and you are asked to set a target you are setting it blind and that is where CEM will help you. The CEM data is a guide that helps us to identify students who aren’t meeting the expected grades or who need further support.”

Identifying additional needs and more able students

“At the beginning of each year, students’ baseline information from CEM is shared with the Learning Support department who look at it along with any teacher referrals. This means the SENCO and Heads of Departments can identify those students that may need further diagnostic testing, need different levels of support or additional challenge, and then develop strategies for supporting them which they share with the teachers.”

Target setting - discussions with parents and students

CES use CEM’s Chances Graphs to understand how likely their students are to achieve certain grades in each of their exams.

“The Chances Graphs are perfect for working with students for setting predictions and targets. The teachers use the indication of potential outcomes and their professional judgement to set realistic and challenging targets.

“In discussion with teachers, parents or students, the Chances Graphs are golden: they help to motivate and encourage, as well as warn about potential results depending on effort.”

Examination analysis

“An important aspect for the senior leadership team is the analysis of added value against external exams, so the CEM data is extremely powerful. Each year you have different cohorts with different abilities. The large database that CEM has means that value-added can be measured against the starting ability of each year group.

“We compare the CEM data and the predictions, targets and termly scores against actual results to see the consistency of subject performance and actual progress being made by the school.

“The CEM data gives the senior leadership team evidence of school performance. It is an unbiased, true reflection of how the school is operating - if you want to know how your school is performing year on year, the CEM data will show you.”