Scatter plots
Scatter plots are a simple means of displaying large volumes of pupil data visually to see if there is a connection between two variables. For further information and examples, select the links or scroll down.
Plots of pupils
Actual versus prior attainment
Actual versus predicted
Plots of schools
Each dot represents a pupil. Where more than one pupil shares the same position (that is, the same x value and the same y value) then these are either shown as a different colour dot or an enlarged blob. Pupil plots could show only pupils with a specified attribute (for example just boys) or a range of attribute values (for example different ethnic origins of the pupils).
Actual versus prior attainment
A typical pupil plot is one that compares the prior attainment of individual pupils with their attainment at the end of a key stage or a year. This is an indicator of progress and lets us analyse the value added we are providing to pupils.
In this example we can see a group of pupils (shown circled in red) with high prior attainment making good progress in their Key Stage 2 reading test, while the group of pupils (shown circled in blue) are not making as good progress and all have a prior attainment average point scores of between 14 and 16 (level 2).
Another typical pupil plot is one that compares a predicted score of individual pupils with their actual attainment. This is an indicator of progress and is often used as part of a contextual value added analysis.
In this example we can see a group of pupils (circled in pink) who were predicted GCSE total capped point scores of between 200 and 350 failing to reach their predictions substantially.
This example comes from the families of schools report. Schools are grouped into families based on context data, ensuring that all schools within a family are statistically similar.
Reproduced with permission from Families of Schools Report, DfES: http://www.schoolsnetwork.org.uk/regions/london/londonfamiliesofschools/default.aspa
See also:
Value added graphs
Contextual value added scatter plots