Show Notes
In this re-released episode and article David Meechan critically explores the reception baseline assessment (RBA), questioning its purpose, reliability and impact on children, teachers and families. Drawing on his research and personal experience, he highlights practical ways educators and leaders can navigate the RBA while advocating for assessment approaches that truly reflect and support child-centred learning in the early weeks of school. Read the article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/whats-the-problem-with-the-reception-baseline-assessment/ Our 2026 conference info & tickets: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2026/ Get in touch and share your voice: Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/ Episode breakdown: 03:30 - How David's work started on the RBA 05:50 - Requesting his son's withdrawal from the assessment 07:55 - Inconsistencies of withdrawal from the assessment 09:30 - Moral issues with assessment and testing 11:30 - Research into the baseline assessment 14:40 - Signing away a child's data footprint 15:57 - The datafication of early years 19:00 - Are the children's best interests at heart? 20:40 - Taking teachers out of classrooms 21:58 - Key findings from David's baseline research 23:50 - Treating children as a means to an end 27:35 - Making the most of the reception baseline assessment 29:00 - A holistic approach to the baseline assessment 30:40 - Reliability of the baseline assessment 32:00 - Reducing lived experiences to abstract numbers 34:15 - Positives taken from the baseline assessment 36:00 - Giving value to assessment 40:00 - Tips for teachers conducting the baseline assessment Hear and read more on The Voice of Early Childhood website: www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com
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