Variability analysis for effectiveness and improvement in classrooms and schools in upper secondary education in Slovenia: Assessment of/for Learning Analytic Tool

Abstract

From 1995, data on students' achievement in schools (i.e., teacher's grades) and all data on achievement in the 5-subject group certificate – the Matura exam – have been systematically gathered for the entire yearly cohort of students in upper secondary education in Slovenia. This paper describes an on-line data selection system and data analysis tool designed for national subject testing committees, schools, and teachers as feedback for analyses of effectiveness, for the improvement of teaching in the classroom and for better learning. The use of data to influence teacher planning of future instructional activities for new groups of students (or for adjustment of policies) can in the long run lead to systematic improvement. This might be considered a secondary level of formative assessment – a key step in a continuous PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) process to establish and assure the quality of education.

Keywords:

• data gathering
• data analysis tool
• school performance
• feedback system
• formative and summative assessment
• effectiveness

Acknowledgements

The development of the Assessment of/for Learning Analytic Tool was funded by the European Social Fund, the Slovenian Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science and Higher Education (research programme grant P1-0294) and National Examinations Centre.