“Bridging the Attainment Gap: Informing Parents about Progress 8 for Enhanced Education”
Introduction:
A recent study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies suggests that targeted information campaigns aimed at increasing parents’ understanding of progress 8 could help narrow the attainment gap. The study found that parents do not consistently apply to the most effective school, and the parents of wealthier pupils are more likely to apply to schools with high progress 8 scores. This indicates that there is a need for policy attention in this area. By addressing parents’ lack of awareness and influencing their application patterns, policymakers can potentially improve GCSE attainment and narrow the secondary school attainment gap.
Full Article: “Bridging the Attainment Gap: Informing Parents about Progress 8 for Enhanced Education”
Study Finds Parents Do Not Consistently Apply to Their ‘Most Effective’ School
Introduction
A recent study has discovered that parents in the UK do not consistently apply to the most effective school for their children. The study, conducted by the Institute for Fiscal Studies, also highlights the disparities between the school choices made by parents from different socio-economic backgrounds. This investigation suggests that targeted information campaigns could help bridge the attainment gap by improving parents’ understanding of school effectiveness and the Progress 8 scoring system.
Progress 8 and School Choices
The Progress 8 system is a performance measure for secondary schools in the UK. It evaluates a school based on the progress students make between their Key Stage 2 SATs results and their performance in specific GCSE qualifications. According to the study, parents do not consistently choose the school with the highest progress 8 score for their children. The research also reveals that parents from wealthier backgrounds are more likely to apply to schools with high progress 8 scores compared to parents from poorer backgrounds.
Potential Solutions
Dr Jack Britton, an associate director at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, suggests that changing parental application patterns could provide students from disadvantaged backgrounds with access to more effective schools. The study proposes the implementation of targeted information campaigns to raise awareness and understanding of progress 8 among parents. Such efforts could be a promising strategy for reducing the attainment gap in GCSE results. The report emphasizes the importance of policymakers addressing this issue as the secondary school attainment gap is currently at its widest in the past decade.
Socio-Economic Factors
Further analysis conducted by the study indicates that parents from lower socio-economic backgrounds tend to apply to below-average schools. While the best school within reach for both poorer and wealthier students performs similarly, the study reveals that wealthier students prefer schools with higher value-added distributions. In contrast, parents from less affluent backgrounds often select schools that perform below average as their first choice.
Considerations and Recommendations
The study acknowledges that there may be limitations to these findings. The limited number of available slots on application forms may restrict poorer parents from applying to certain schools, knowing that their chances of securing admission to the most effective school in the area are slim. In such cases, the study suggests the need for admission reforms to encourage more ambitious application behavior.
On the other hand, if the gap in school choices can be attributed to parents prioritizing close proximity over school effectiveness, the study recommends focusing on improving less well-performing schools through targeted policies.
Summary: “Bridging the Attainment Gap: Informing Parents about Progress 8 for Enhanced Education”
A recent study conducted by the Institute for Fiscal Studies suggests that targeted information campaigns could help narrow the attainment gap by improving parents’ understanding of progress 8. The study found that parents do not consistently apply to the most effective school, and that the parents of better-off pupils are more likely to prioritize schools with higher progress 8 scores. The study suggests that if parents were more aware of progress 8, they might make different application choices. Policymakers could potentially use targeted information campaigns to influence parents’ application patterns and narrow the attainment gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Progress 8?
Progress 8 is a measure used in schools to assess students’ progress from the end of primary school to the end of secondary school. It takes into account the results of eight different subjects, including English, mathematics, and a range of other subjects.
2. How does Progress 8 help close the attainment gap?
Progress 8 is designed to promote equity and measure the progress of all students, regardless of their starting points. By focusing not only on attainment but also on the progress a student makes, it helps evaluate the effectiveness of a school in helping students achieve their potential.
3. Why is closing the attainment gap important?
Closing the attainment gap is crucial for ensuring equal opportunities for all students. It aims to eliminate disparities in educational outcomes between disadvantaged students and their more advantaged peers. This helps create a fairer and more inclusive education system.
4. How does Progress 8 impact school performance?
Progress 8 measures the progress students make in relation to their prior attainment at the end of primary school. Schools with positive Progress 8 scores demonstrate that they are enabling students to achieve above average progress, which positively affects their overall performance and reputation.
5. Can Progress 8 be influenced by factors outside of school?
Progress 8 is designed to take into account a student’s prior attainment to ensure a fair evaluation. However, it acknowledges that external factors beyond a school’s control, such as personal circumstances or socioeconomic background, may influence a student’s progress. Schools are encouraged to consider these factors when interpreting Progress 8 scores.
6. How can parents support their child’s progress under Progress 8?
Parents can support their child’s progress by actively engaging in their education, encouraging regular attendance, and providing a supportive learning environment at home. It is important to maintain effective communication with the school, attend parent-teacher meetings, and seek guidance from teachers if needed.
7. What other initiatives are in place to narrow the attainment gap?
In addition to Progress 8, various initiatives are implemented to address the attainment gap. These may include targeted interventions, extra support for disadvantaged students, mentoring programs, and tailored learning resources. Schools and educational organizations continuously work to develop strategies to ensure all students have equal opportunities to thrive.
8. How can schools measure the impact of their efforts to close the attainment gap?
Schools can measure the impact of their efforts through analyzing data, including Progress 8 scores. Regular monitoring and evaluation of strategies implemented to support disadvantaged students can help identify areas for improvement and measure progress over time. Sharing this information with parents and stakeholders fosters transparency and collaboration.
