[senco-forum] 4th percentile tosh

OK Martin -- I got the percentile score wong there. A typo or tiredness or both. Thanks for pointing it out. But (humbly) I contend I do know what I'm talking about generally in this area -- however I should have double checked my posting before sending. Also, I am very capable of error, by getting dated by lack of direct practice on a regular basis -- and you will be much more of an authority than myself in respect of statistical analyisis. 

But that does not, in any way, undermine the 'credibility' the substance of what I said, which was the most important aspect. That there are serious problems of very many parents not getting thourough and unambiguous assessments, for their SEN child from their LA, without having to commission their own independent asessements. This is my all to common experience and was the real (if slightly digressing) point I was making in my posting. The Education Select Committe Report called for a seperation of LA statutory assessment from provision duties, as it found that the present operation of SEN was 'unfit for purpose' so I'm not alone in my experience.

Regretfully -- Eddie is not my 'buddie' as we've never met -- nor do we directly communicate about any matters raised on the forum! And we have no joint axes to grind in any way. Any comments from him as to aptness of what I may state on this forum (or otherwise) are the same as from any one else, just a comment of agreement or disagreement as to what someone else has said. Starngely you are not the first person to collectively imply critiscism of Eddie and myself -- but such generalisation of critiscims has absolutely no validity or relevence.

When I make general critiscism of EP practice in LAs, this is not a criticism of the profession as a whole, or EPs as individuals. I meet many very excellent EPs in private and LA practice, and read some excellent reports. EPs are vital professionals, and I had the pleasure of meeting an excellent principle LA EP (Head of an LA service) yesterday at a very crucial meeting with a parent.

I believe EP roles in supporting children and schools should be strengthened and expanded considerably, with the EP role, within the statutory assessment process, 'distanced' considerably from LA control. The constant 'cuts' in EP services that happened in my area -- when I was a teacher -- frutrated me intensly.

But I have stated the problem that I find, as a fact not a general anecdotal smear, as it is very important to SEN children and their parents in terms of the assessment process. Unfortunatly the LA EP has become a 'Gatekeeeper' for LAs in limiting spending on SEN, and it was not a role that the EP profession sought. It is a fault of the legislation and needs to be rectified -- as the Select Committe is seeking to persuade Government so to do.  

I always read your advice and comments, and value them Martin, and I hope to be able to continue to do so.

Cheers Brendan King  

-----Original Message-----
From: Mmilesep at aol.com
To: senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk
Sent: Wed, 25 Apr 2007 9.04PM
Subject: [senco-forum] 4th percentile tosh

In a message dated 25/04/2007 11:53:07 GMT Standard Time, kngbrndn at aol.com  
writes:

Now, if  the overall IQ scores add up to 120 on the percentile ranking 

Sorry Brendan, but I think someone congratulated you on your simple  and 
accurate explanation of percentile scores recently. (your buddy Eddie I  think). 

Now to suggest that scores could be at the 120th percentile really  does 
underline the credibility of some your other observations and  opinions.

For the record the highest percentile score is the 99th.

Perhaps best if we offer knowledge and advice on things we understand and  to 
be humble enough to ask questions at other times.

Humbly yours

Martin EP