§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make an assessment of whether the learning strategies recommended in the Assessment for Learning programme are compatible with mixed ability teaching. [117182]
§ Mr. MilibandSuccessful use of assessment for learning is not dependent on a particular form of pupil grouping. The focus is on the individual pupil and the learning needs identified by good quality assessment of their work. The strategies involved—sharing objectives; analysis of performance; feedback, which identifies next steps; peer and self assessment and questioning, which uncovers misconceptions and encourages pupils to explain their thinking—can be employed in a variety of grouping arrangements.