Focus on underperformance, and how to address this

In this study, Wilkinson and colleagues took a systems-based programmatic approach to addressing under-performance, arguing that such an approach facilitates the validity and reliability of decisions. The features of their system include: transparency, by reporting on subcomponents of an attachment rather than relying on global ratings; and using descriptive data about specific behaviours and issues (as well as summative assessment data). This approach proved sensitive for identifying more students of concern and resulted in less ‘failure to fail’, and facilitated the alignment of assessment, learning and remediation.