THE WISH TO LEARN Research into Motivation

Nine LEAs in the South Yorkshire/ Derbyshire region collaborated in planning an inquiry into the methods used in schools for assessing pupils aged 11 to 14 years. Information from questionnaire surveys was obtained from headteachers, heads of department or equivalent middle school post holders and class teachers. Also, there were special studies of schemes or particular methods which were aimed at identifying criteria associated with good practices.

Questionnaire analyses indicated that school policies were focused more on assessment routines than on fulfilling educational intentions, and that only a minority of teachers had specialist knowledge or skills in the field of assessment. An outline is given of the ‘Pointers to good practice’ section, which formed the concluding part of the final report (Engel Clough et al., 1984).