Additional Support for Learning action plan: final progress report

Key Strand 2: National Measurement Framework

A major milestone for the ASL Project Board, is the publication of the first iteration of the National Measurement Framework (NMF) in December 2025. The NMF is embedded within the refreshed National Improvement Framework (NIF) Interactive Evidence Report (NIFIER). It brings together a wide range of data showing how children and young people are progressing in areas such as literacy, numeracy, health and wellbeing, attainment, and the poverty‑related attainment gap. By embedding ASL Data in this platform, it ensures an equal focus on making progress with both reducing the poverty-related and ASN-related attainment gaps, offering parity of esteem across all improvement indicators and captures the outcomes for children and young people with additional support needs within a holistic context.

Development of the NMF was one of the three identified priority areas for delivery by the ASL Project Board in the third Progress Report (November 2024) and the framework has been developed collaboratively with ADES, Scottish Government Education Analytical Services, and ASL Project Board members.

Plans and Approach

The NMF is designed to provide a consistent approach to measuring and reporting ASN outcomes, aligned with the NIF to minimise duplication, and it is using existing data sources, which will be supplemented by new measures over time. It reflects the four principles of inclusion - Present, Participating, Achieving, Supported - to ensure a rights-based approach.

The refreshed NIFIER dashboard has updated the ASL evidence base to align with the seven NIF outcomes and has removed any outdated measures. The NMF has been embedded in both a dedicated tab and mainstreamed throughout the core NIFIER dashboard. Usability through a new landing page, dedicated outcome tabs, streamlined visualisations, and enhanced download options, has been enhanced as part of the NIFIER refresh, and the NMF has been included in this process.

Progress to Date

A Monitoring and Analysis Sub-Group under the ASL Project Board has overseen the development of this work and has been supported by extensive engagement with stakeholders including local authorities, Education Scotland, HMiE, SEEMiS, ADES networks, and professional bodies. Feedback from the ASL Project Board and NIF Programme Board has informed revisions to measures and dashboard design as this work has evolved.

The first iteration of the NMF includes around 60 measures, drawn from existing NIF indicators disaggregated by ASN status, proxy measures (e.g., disability status), and ASN-specific metrics such as numbers of ASN teachers and Coordinated Support Plans. The revised NIFIER features 16 key NIF measures, including new attainment indicators and updated wellbeing measures. Input and feedback on development of the first iteration of the NMF was sought throughout its development and it was shared in advance of the launch, with Local Authority attendees at the ASL Data Summit on 12 November 2025.

A prototype of the refreshed NIFIER dashboard was developed, featuring improved navigation, contextual information, and download functionality. ASN gap charts have been developed to highlight disparities, and where appropriate, this has been shared with the ASL Project Board and wider stakeholders as it has developed to ensure that feedback can be incorporated throughout the process.

Challenges

The NMF currently provides Scotland-level data about those pupils with and without a recorded additional support need. While this represents an important step forward, gaps remain in the evidence base. Future iterations will address these gaps by improving data disaggregation, considering local authority-level analysis, and embedding measures across NIFIER to ensure parity of esteem between ASN-related achievement and mainstream attainment. Feedback on the dashboard’s accessibility and content is actively being sought to inform these improvements.

These initiatives aim to strengthen Scotland’s ability to measure progress toward inclusive education, ensure parity of esteem between reducing the poverty-related attainment gap and the ASN-related attainment gap, and provide robust, accessible data to inform decision-making at all levels.

Next Steps

1. Promote and Engage: Implement the communications strategy, gather feedback, and deliver demos to internal and external stakeholders. This work commenced in early 2026.

2. Support Local Authorities: Develop templates and professional learning to help authorities use national ASN data for local improvement, to support improvements in the experiences and outcomes of children and young people. Begin discussions on a shared approach to ASN identification.

3. Future Iterations: Phase 2 (2026–27) will refine dashboard functionality, address data gaps, and improve consistency of ASN identification nationally. Phase 3 (2027–28) will explore inclusion of local authority-level data and comparator tools; evaluate approaches to celebrating success.

4. Sustainability: Secure analytical capacity and apply implementation science principles to ensure effective adoption and long-term impact.

In addition to the specific steps for the NMF, we have also appointed an Insight Advisor, with a specific remit to consider ASL Data. This will provide a further mechanism to ensure that we both capture and recognise the achievements of children and young people with ASN through Insight Data, as well as through the Pupil and Teacher Census.

The NMF and refreshed NIFIER dashboard represent a significant step toward improving inclusion and equity in Scottish education. By embedding ASN measures within the NIF structure and enhancing accessibility through a modernised dashboard, Scotland will have taken the first steps towards a robust, transparent system for celebrating achievements, tracking progress, and informing policy.

The ASL Project Board recognised that this is a significant and positive milestone, reflecting the collaborative progress made to date. Members also recognise that there are opportunities to strengthen future iterations of the NMF by addressing some current limitations – particularly around capturing and showcasing individual learners’ achievements and embedding this more fully within the framework.

The ASL Project Board members agreed that future iterations of the NMF should continue to evolve in line with developments across educational settings and through HMiE, ensuring that the NMF remains a valuable tool for Local Authorities in driving self-evaluation and school level improvements. Whilst the concept may still feel abstract for practitioners, learners and families, this milestone represents an important and encouraging foundation on which Local Authorities and schools can build.