An introduction to value-added

What is value-added?

Value-added is a measure of progress. 

It’s what we call the difference between the statistically expected grade from the baseline score and the actual grade achieved. This is calculated for each subject and on a class-by-class basis. A positive value-added score means that a student has performed better than expected. A majority of positive value-added scores in a subject or class means that they have been well taught. 

As with any data analysis, you’ll need to add your own context and use the information as part of the bigger picture. That’s why monitoring your value-added performance over time, across years, will give you a better understanding of trends and help you identify when positive outcomes are not down to chance but a reflection of the quality of your teaching and learning.

Why spend time on value-added?

Value-added performance is a consistent system and can give you stability during the ever-changing government policies on assessment, tracking and accountability.

It’s also a fairer measure of the progress that students have made. It considers each student’s starting point, not just their final exam result.

“Showing trends over time is important: including the fact that our profile is actually very similar year on year. This reassures us that we can continue to achieve outstanding and high value-added results” 

What can you do with your value-added reports? 

• Ask deeper questions about individual subject strength
• Share best practice between departments
• Support judgements about assessment and support
• Tailor aspirational target-setting
• Provide evidence for internal-monitoring and external inspections
• Support conversations with governors