Trialling Framework 2022-25

The STA’s remit is to develop and deliver statutory national curriculum tests for use in schools. At present, the tests are in English Reading, English Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling (GPS), Mathematics, Phonics and Reception Baseline Assessment, though it is possible that other tests may be proposed over the lifetime of this framework that would be within its scope. STA is responsible for ensuring these tests are of the highest quality, accessible to all, inclusive and free from bias. Trialling is therefore essential to STA’s operating model of delivering brand new assessments. The contractors appointed to the framework will be responsible for providing trialling and sampling services to the Agency. Two types of trials will be carried out: - Item validation trial (IVT) An IVT is a relatively small-scale trial providing evidence to support item development, for example refining the wording of questions and developing coding frames. Technical pre-test (TPT) The TPT is a larger scale trial and provides statistical evidence relating to items. Sampling is a process by which national data can be collected without assessing all pupils. The activities involved in sampling are the same as for trialling, hence its inclusion in this framework. The initial term of the framework will be 3 years, there will be an option to extend it for additional period of 12 months. Additional information: n/a