How do I format an assessment framework in Excel so that it can be uploaded onto SOLAR?
How to create an assessment framework in a spreadsheet for SOLAR
SOLAR has the ability for schools to create their own assessment frameworks in excel format which the support team can then load onto their SOLAR. The framework must be in the correct format.
Assessment Frameworks are loaded onto SOLAR free of charge. However, if a framework is loaded and due to the data sent in by the customer is incorrect there may be a charge to remove the incorrect framework and load the new version.
It is the customer's responsibility to ensure that the file is in the correct format and to spell check the document and ensure that the spelling in each column is consistent. For example, if English is a subject in the framework and is spelt both English and english this will create 2 subjects on SOLAR. SOLAR also sees spaces as characters therefore if there is an additional space this will also create an additional entry e.g. L1 and L 1 would create 2 different levels.
Assessment Frameworks are loaded onto SOLAR free of charge. However, if a framework is loaded and due to the data sent in by the customer being incorrect, there may be a charge to remove the incorrect framework and load the new version.
If you download any assessment framework from SOLAR into excel it is downloaded in the format required. Each framework must be on a separate spreadsheet and all subjects must be on sheet one and not on separate tabs within the spreadsheet.
Your spreadsheet must have the following headings and only these 6 columns.
A = Assessment Framework
B = Subject
C = Level
D = Statements
E = Details
F = Sort Order
Column A
Column A contains the name of the Assessment Framework and must be the same all the way down the spreadsheet.
Column B contains the subject names.
Column C contains the Level
Column D contains the statement.
In column E (Details) you can add any additional information that may assist the teacher in identifying what the pupil needs to do to meet the statement.
Column F (sort order) details the order that the statement will display on SOLAR. The sort order will start from 1 each time the level or the subject changes. In the example above level 1 has 8 statements and level 2 has 8 statements.
Reminder: It is the customer's responsibility to ensure that the file is in the correct format and to spell check the document and ensure that the spelling in each column is consistent. For example, if English is a subject in the framework and is spelt both English and
Note: SOLAR also sees spaces as characters therefore if there is an additional space this will also create an additional entry e.g. L1 and L 1 would create 2 different levels.
*Recommendation
After you have produced your assessment framework, we recommend that you carry out the following checks/actions before sending to the SOLAR support team. These will help ensure that there are no errors in the file and help improve the quality of the framework.
1. Sort your data in excel using the Sort & Filter button on the Home Page
Select “Custom Sort” and sort by Curriculum, Subject, Level and then Order
2. Check that the assessment framework name is the same throughout the whole spreadsheet
3. Check the subject names – check the first and last entry for each subject to ensure that there are no spelling mistakes or erroneous spaces in the name.
4. Check the sort order column to ensure that there are no entries without numbers and that the numbers are sequential and change at the appropriate time.
5. If you have the additional feature of “Kutools” loaded onto your excel programme
Click the “text” option and use the Remove Spaces “Leading and Trailing spaces” function.
The “All excess spaces” function will remove double spacing where used in error.
6. Don’t forget to spell check.