The basics
For information about the basics, please click on the links below.
3. What parts of the curriculum does e-asTTle assess?
4. Why is e-asTTle ground-breaking?
- 1. What is e-asTTle?
e-asTTle is a web-based version of asTTle. asTTle was first developed by Auckland UniServices in 2000 as a CD-ROM package that enables teachers to create and analyse literacy and numeracy tests for years 5–10 and curriculum levels 2–6. Since then, improved versions have been developed and launched (we now have version 4) each more user-friendly and comprehensive than its predecessor and each version taking teachers' and principals' suggestions for improvements into account. e-asTTle is part of this ongoing improvement and development.
- 2. Who is e-asTTle for?
e-asTTle is primarily for teachers of students in years 5–10 and curriculum levels 2–6. Many schools using asTTle have also found it to be a great tool for planning purposes, for helping students to understand their progress, and for involving parents in discussions about how well their children are doing.
- 3. What parts of the curriculum does e-asTTle assess?
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e-asTTle will continue to assess reading, writing, maths, pāngarau, pānui and tuhituhi for years 5–10 and curriculum levels 2–6.
- 4. Why is e-asTTle ground-breaking?
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- e-asTTle allows teachers and school leaders to set tests that are aligned to the curriculum when they want and at the level they want; and to measure student progress over time.
- e-asTTle uses a programming method (linear programming heuristics) to create the 'best possible' test while also meeting the requirements specified by the teacher.
- e-asTTle has developed a new approach to developing and classifying test items so that every test is tailored to the specific needs of the classroom.
- e-asTTle has made advances in standard-setting methodologies. It gives teachers a realistic picture of how well each student, class, or school is doing compared to the national average and the curriculum requirements (including curriculum levels). It allows comparisons to other groups such as gender, ethnicity, English as a second language, or 'schools like mine'.
- e-asTTle provides rich interpretations and specific feedback that relate to student performance (rather than simply providing a score). It identifies areas of student weakness and strength that may otherwise go unnoticed.
- e-asTTle presents the results in visual ways making it easier for teachers to discuss performance and the steps they're taking with students, parents, and boards of trustees.
- e-asTTle supports teachers by giving them direction and access to extensive and relevant Internet resources (What Next on the Te Kete Ipurangi website) for raising student achievement more efficiently.
- e-asTTle is the first bilingual (English and te reo) assessment tool to be developed in New Zealand.