4Matrix is in the BETT Awards finals
4Matrix has been selected as a finalist for the BETT 2012 Awards in the Leadership and Management Solutions category.
Ironically, we decided not to exhibit at BETT this year.
It is our policy to invest a majority of our earnings into new developments rather than advertising.
Relatively few visitors to BETT last year are secondary school staff interested in performance data systems, unlike venues like the National College, The Schools Network or ASCL where a majority of attendees are potential key purchasers.
New version of 4Matrix undergoing testing
The new version of 4Matrix is still undergoing testing. We have a couple of stability issues when updating screens which we are still investigating. It will be due out later this month. There is a preview at www.4matrix.org/preview
There are further details on our general web site at www.4matrix.org
SKDL training proves popular
We have several bookings this month for the SKDL training/consultancy modules. 'Systemic Knowledge Driven Leadership' is our new approach to helping schools use performance data. It is based on the success of several schools who have used 4Matrix for self-evaluation and Ofsted preparation. There are details at www.4matrix.org/skdl
Getting help with using 4Matrix
if you get stuck when using 4Matrix you can send an email to mike@4matrix.org describing your problem. I will try to reply as soon as possible with an answer. Do please make sure you have looked at the Application Guide first. It covers most things.
Remote training
If you would welcome some personal tuition in the use of 4Matrix then we can book a time and share a screen with you and show you how to use 4Matrix, etc. We can take you through importing data and setting 4Matrix up for others to use. We can explain how schools are using 4Matrix to raise achievement and take more control over their inspection.
There is a small cost for this service which we can invoice the school for. 30 minute or 60 minute slots may be booked.
New facelift version of 4Matrix
We will shortly be releasing a new menu system for 4Matrix. There are details on the NEWS button from the Dashboard.
Importing Year 9 pupils
Many schools begin key stage 4 in year 9. You can now import year 9 pupils into 4Matrix and link them to their examination classes (only). We aim to release a key stage 3 tracking tool in the new year to make more of the year 9 data.
Class Group Analysis improvement
The Class Group Analysis presents specialist teaching groups in order of residual, but sortable on any column.
Clicking the + icon displays the pupils in their group. The last column now shows their grade in this subject.
Displaying discounted results in Pupil Reports
The Pupil Summary Report feature now has a tick to allow discounted results to be displayed. i.e. where a pupil sat two subjects that QCA rules require discounting, they can both be displayed even though only one will count towards the pupil's totals.
Deleting subjects warning
In Edit subjects if you delete a subject that is used in another series you will be warned that that subject will also be deleted in the other series.
Error checking on mapping during Import
Previously, mapping two columns to the same thing (e.g. FormGroup mapped twice) was accepted but the imported data failed to be saved. A warning is now given.
Many new subjects added to the database
4Matrix has over 4000 qualifications in its database. However, it may not have every qualification that schools offer. More have been added.
The Import>Missing Qualification feature provides a simple way to quickly add missing ones.
Improvement to Subject Profile > Research groups
When a research group is defined and then selected in Subject Profile, when subjects are clicked, the same pupils making up this group are shown in each selected subject. Previously the wrong research group was highlighted during this operation. This has now been corrected.
Please see our two new Video Tutorials which are accessed from the Icon bar in the Dashboard.
One is a general overview of 4Matrix. The other is a detailed look at how subject residuals are used in 4Matrix to explore the impact of teaching.
There is a great new Practical Guide to 4Matrix available from the NEWS page icon on the Dashboard. This guide is being used in our in-school support work. It will support a practical session in understanding 4Matrix and getting the best from it.
We now offer Remote Training Tutorials. Please click the NEWS button in 4Matrix for details.
New Video Tutorials
There are two new video tutorials which give an overview of 4Matrix and explains the Subject Profile. These are available as links on the icon bar on the Dashboard.
Database updates
New examination titles have been added to the database.
All comparative subject data now uses 2010 RAISEonline data as supplied by RM Data. Please note that we use subject residual information slightly differently to RAISEonline. We do not remove the effect of the subject itself.
Mechanism to add missing subjects in the database
4Matrix contains over 4000 UK examination subjects intended for 16+ examinations. Occasionally a school will offer a subject that is not in the database. If this happens they can contact us and we will add an update file to our website which can be imported into 4Matrix using the Import>Missing Qualifications feature. This can be done during the import stage and the Refresh button clicked to refresh the database. Using Live Support, the turnaround time for this process is very short.
Please note. To add missing subjects from the EDI feed, i.e. ones that don't import into 4Matrix, please see page 20 of the Application Guide.
Improved Importing tools
There are now two tabs on the Import >SIMS feature in the Your Data window called Main and Classes.
The Main tab shows pupils’ results as before. The Classes tab shows the additional data about pupils’ classes and teaching groups that is also imported.
Improved Press Release
The Press Release has been extended to take account of new reporting requirements.
There is a new tabular display which sets out the headline totals.
Import Data and Match Data context menus
The tools which are used to edit data during the import stage are now available as a context menu - i.e. by right clicking a column. There are new options for splitting columns up either by value, or by SIMS subject name
Splitting columns by values enables the division of a column containing two types of qualification to be split, e.g. One column containing results at two levels.
When at Step 5, Match Data, columns have a context menu (right click) to provide choices as to how to handle unmatched pupil data.
This update contains the new Group Analysis Tool requested by schools. See the Application Guide for details.
It also includes an improved Subject Profile display that opens to show teaching groups and named pupils on the Variation Graph.
Various updates have been made to the 4Matrix database including new examination titles.
Update 4.0.4.2 contains a range of improvements.
Please refer to the Application Guide for details.
Update 2.0.4.1 has a range of improvements to the print-outs that can be made. There are improvements to the Subject Summary, Borderline Analysis, 5A*-C Analysis and EBacc reports.
Photo-montage reports are now available for 5A*-C Analysis, Borderline Analysis and Fine Grades tool.
Some new examination subjects have been added to the database. Several reported bugs have been fixed.
Please see the new Application Guide for full details of all changes.
Note that the Fine Grades tool is still undergoing development.
We are currently working on Fine Grades tool and Progress/Value Added tracking tools.
Also on the development list are a Lesson Evaluation Schema and a Pupil Profiling System.
This update now includes the Beta version of the Fine Grades Analysis tools.
These were designed for the PIXL group of schools who use fine grades as the basis of their raising achievement programme.
Fine Grades can be imported using Import>Spreadsheet(Results)
An example of the format can be downloaded at http://www.4matrix.org/Documents/Fine_Grades_Example.xls
Full grades or fine grades can be imported.
Note that you can adjust the borders between the 4 main categories of student. The target category is Category 2.
When we have Fine Grades selected categories of student can be printed, by selecting them as a block or individually.
This tool is still undergoing development.
Subject Comments
This version has a new feature where Subject Leaders can create a report alongside the contextual comments that 4Matrix produces.
Research > Subject Comments
"4Matrix is rocket fuel for the self-evaluating school"
- Tom Cassidy, Vice Principal (Assessment), Paddington Academy
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