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The sample
Our aim was to have a sample of 30 previously low achieving students (PLAS) at the end of Year 9. To allow for students leaving and absenteeism we initially selected 43 students (15 LS + 13 FH + 15 SP). The selection was based on:
- An equal number of students from all tutor groups (all schools were teaching the year 7 students in tutor groups) allowing for a cross-section of students from a variety of teachers.
- Students with data on their key stage 2 results were chosen from a group using the parameters of having attained levels N, 2 or 3.
- Students without data on their key stage 2 results were included in the sampling frame if they had non verbal CATs scores < 100. We arrived at this measure by looking at CAT scores of those for whom we did have KS2 SAT data. We did not want to exclude students for whom we had no KS2 SATs data because disrupted education and gaps in records are a common feature of PLAS. It is likely that some of these would have attained low level 4.
- The sampling frame was alphabetical listings of such students from each group, selecting every nth student where n would give us equal numbers per group. Groups varied in size between 22 and 32 students. Having equal numbers per group meant that each teacher of year 7 was similarly represented in the student sample data, assuming that mathematics was taught in tutor groups.
We call this sample the 'focus group'. All parents were contacted and parents and students gave consent to be in FG for three years, unless they chose to opt out at some stage. They were assured that data would be anonymous when published, although the school had to know the names of the FG students because they undertook to provide us with their test data.
