Multilevel Modelling of the Government's New School Performance Measures, 'Floor Standards' Target and 'Narrowing the Gap' Priority

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Each year, the Government publishes school performance tables that report the achievement and progress of pupils in English secondary schools. These tables are subsequently republished by the media, on websites and as supplements in national newspapers. The Government's aim is to hold schools accountable and to enable parents to make meaningful choices about where to send their children to school. The Government's 2010 Schools White Paper outlined major changes to these tables which have now been implemented in the 2011 school performance tables. First, they have changed the way they measure pupil progress. Second, they have introduced a new government target which requires all schools to pass 'floor standards' in these measures. Third, they have made it a new government priority that all schools narrow the performance gaps between their most disadvantaged pupils and their peers. These changes have important implications: 'underperforming' schools which fail the new government target will risk being placed in 'special measures', take-over, or even closure.The high-stakes nature of these changes make it imperative that they are critically reviewed and that innovative techniques are developed and applied to explore potential improvements to the way the Government measure school performances. This proposal will do this by pursuing a programme of methodological and substantive research based on analyses of the highly detailed pupil and school level performance data held by the Government. The main objectives of this proposal are to:1. CRITICALLY REVIEW SCHOOL PERFORMANCE MEASURES IN ENGLANDDespite the high-stakes nature of the new school performance measures, target and priority no such review exists. I will therefore carefully explain the methodology behind each measure, explore the conclusions that each measure allows users to draw, and explain how different measures are relevant to different users (e.g. parents and government) and for different purposes (e.g. school choice and school accountability).2. RESEARCH POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS TO SCHOOL PERFORMANCE MEASURESI will use statistical models to explore the new school performance measures and government target and the extent to which they might suffer from potential statistical limitations. For example, the measured performances of small schools are known to fluctuate greatly from year to year simply due to the small number of students upon which they are based. However, the government target appears not to recognise this issue or the important implications it has for schools' and ultimately pupils' futures.I will then extend the proposed models to explore the new government priority and to statistically identify whether schools are narrowing the performance gaps between their most disadvantaged pupils and their peers. Such analyses are a necessary first step in attempts to identify those school policies and practices that can bring about such changes.3. SKILLS DEVELOPEMENTI will develop my statistical modelling and software skills through a programme of reading guided by my mentor and will complement this by attending external training workshops and a one-week academic visit to an expert in this area. I will develop my knowledge exchange, media and public engagement skills through training courses provided by my university. 4. DISSEMINATE THE RESEARCH TO ACADEMICS AND NON-ACADEMICSI will publish the research in academic journals and present it at national and international conferences. I will collaborate with a third sector charity through a one-week placement. I will publicise the research to the Department for Education and non-academics through short research briefings and press releases. Finally, I will train academic and other researchers in the methods used in the research through running a workshop and by providing online training materials.