I think part of the problem is that the policy level has not communicated that there is a number of ways to interpret it. It has been interpreted as “this is it, this is how it is interpreted. ( Researchers expressed a preference for focusing upon the complexity of AfL, while the DET had developed a programme that was seen by some teachers as the only way of doing AfL. The four principles of assessment were seen as the most important part of the work, and since it is now in fact a part of the Education Act, teachers have to implement these practices.