The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) offered the contract to the consortium last week. It said it hoped the team would combine NFER's track record in the development of assessment materials with Birmingham LEA's experience of working with early years practitioners.
Last year the Government asked the QCA to consult on proposals to revise arrangements for statutory baseline assessment. These include moving it to the end of the foundation stage, which is usually the end of the reception year; assessing each child's progress towards the early learning goals; introducing a national baseline assessment scheme for use in all schools; and collecting data to allow year-on-year comparisons.
The consultation ended in January and the QCA is analysing the responses, which will inform the consortium's work.
