Connecting Steps Assessment Software

 

What Are the Benefits of Connecting Steps Software?

Connecting Steps is suitable for a wide range of users:

• Covers multiple curriculums — Early Years, Primary, SEND and more
• Records small steps of progress for pupils with SEND
• Standardisation makes it ideal for LAs and MATs

It supports an inclusive assessment system by recording small steps of development:

• Curriculum breakdown shows progress within levels
• Shows progress within a skill as pupils build up their knowledge
• Works on multiple levels for a pupil, showing their range of abilities

It provides detailed pupil progress data that can be built into reports and shared:

• Transfers skills between subjects and curriculums
• Shows progress as a percentage over a month, term, year or Key Stage
• Can be used to share information with parents
• Use with pupils for self-assessment
• Use CSAM to provide in-depth reports across multiple student cohorts and for whole school analysis
• Shows skills achieved between two dates
• Builds pie charts, bar charts and line graphs to show progress
• Utilises assessment data throughout the year, not just a level given 
• Reports are automatically updated as assessments are recorded

It allows schools to plan next steps for individual pupils:

• Creates individual learning plans for a pupil
• Shows the assessment points yet to be achieved
• Highlights the next steps
• Summarises pupils’ overall learning
• Shows progression over any time period

It helps schools to manage change effectively:

• When curriculums change, assessments are carried forward
• Transfers detailed assessments between schools, easing student transition
• Imports pupils from your MIS

 

How Does Connecting Steps Work?

Connecting Steps was designed with the busy teacher in mind. Each screen is clear, clean and simple. To record information or view information, you click on it. Teachers can review individuals or whole groups. The software is easy to use and allows teachers to access all the information they require at a click of a button.

 

Connecting Steps works differently to other assessment systems. Instead of teachers giving every child a level at the end of each year, the software is designed for continuous use. Teachers record the small steps pupils make and use these steps to build a bigger picture of the pupils' learning and achievements.

 

When recording information, it isn't a case of what each pupil can or can’t do. The system consists of seven steps leading to the achievement of a skill. Individual schools can tailor the number of steps according to their own needs. We have also included an additional step that can be used to show consolidation of knowledge, or that a pupil has achieved a greater level of understanding.

 

How Does Connecting Steps Help with Reporting?

Schools can use these small steps of recorded progress to drill down into the detail of data collected and build reports that provide valuable insights into pupil progress. Subject leaders or the leadership team can use our Analysis Module (CSAM) to look at whole school data and identify patterns. The system gives schools a wide range of reports to choose from allowing them to demonstrate the progress and attainment of pupils effectively. Leaders can use this analysis and reporting to identify areas of strength or weakness.

 

How Easy Is Connecting Steps to Use?

The method of recording and tracking results with Connecting Steps software is straightforward. The simple, easy-to-use interface allows teachers to quickly and easily record pupils’ achievements, and annotate their learning with comments to help tell the story of an individual's journey.

Results can be displayed by individual student, by class, and by cohort — allowing teaching staff the freedom to choose how they would like to document progress. Information can be condensed into several formats: pie charts, bar charts and line graphs. Results are automatically updated, and progress can be tracked across any period. These results can be built into reports, helping teaching staff monitor progress over time for individual pupils as well as across groups.

 

Find out more about how Connecting Steps could help your school to track pupil progress and assess performance by downloading the Connecting Steps brochure here. If you’d like to talk to one of our team about your requirements or if you have questions about the software, please book a free online meeting.