Public procurement notice: Prior Information Notice Without Call For Competition
Published: 2016-01-21
Buyer: Welsh Government
Country: UK
Region: UNITED KINGDOM
Contract type: Services
CPV classification: 48190000 | 72212190 | 75121000 | 80000000 | 80310000

Technical requirements: Delivery of paper-based tests for Reading in 2018 and in Numerical Reasoning in 2018 and 2019. See additional information section of this notice.
Note: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at http://www.sell2wales.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=39589
Payment terms will be indicated in the contract documents. Tenders to be priced in Sterling. Payment to be made in Sterling only.
The Welsh Government is committed to raising standards of literacy and numeracy and tackling the link between poverty and educational attainment. Our National Literacy and Numeracy Programmes set out the work that we have done, and the work that will be taken forward to achieve this aim. As part of these programmes the Welsh Government introduced National Tests of Reading and Numeracy in 2013.
The National Reading and Numeracy Tests are paper-based tests for all learners in years 2-9 in maintained schools in Wales. The tests are delivered and administered in schools annually (at the beginning of May).
The tests are based on the expectation statements set out in the National Literacy and Numeracy Framework and the main purpose of the tests is to provide diagnostic information about learners' ability in these areas to help identify those who may need additional support or challenge. The tests also provide parents with information about their child's achievement, which should be read in conjunction with end of year teacher reports.
Results are given as an age-standardised score, and a progress measure — which tracks learners standardised scores over a number of years to identify trends and changes in performance between years. Diagnostic tools are also published for practitioners to use to identify skills areas where individuals or classes may need additional support or challenge.
In 2015 the Welsh Government commissioned research into the feasibility of introducing computer based tests (in particular online adaptive tests) in Wales. The research was conducted by AlphaPlus and it was found that it was feasible to introduce computer based tests in schools in Wales.
The potential benefits of online adaptive testing are significant and fit with our policy aim of providing diagnostic information so that teachers and parents are well informed about learners' development and can act on that information to raise standards of literacy and numeracy. Online adaptive tests can provide tailored testing which give teachers and schools more targeted information on their learners' performance in the tests; reduce the time it takes to provide feedback to learners, parents and schools; and can significantly reduce the impact of assessment on teaching and learning time and on teacher workload.
We are also embarking on a radical reform of the curriculum and assessment arrangements in Wales following a wide ranging review by Professor Graham Donaldson — ‘Successful Futures’. Professor Donaldson is clear that ‘external standardised testing provides important benchmarking information’ and that ‘Innovative approaches to assessment, including interactive approaches, should be developed drawing on the increasing potential contribution of digital technology’.
Paper-based tests are in place until May 2017, and based on recommended development time we plan to introduce online adaptive tests from 2018 and stagger their introduction to the following timescale:
Therefore we will be procuring the continuation of the National testing programme in 2 separate lots.
Lot 1 to deliver paper-based tests for Reading in 2018 and in Numerical Reasoning in 2018 and 2019; and
Lot 2 to deliver online adaptive tests for Procedural Numeracy in 2018 onwards, Reading from 2019 onwards, and Numerical Reasoning from 2020 onwards.