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Functional Skills Update (England)

Functional Skills Update (England). 2007. Can you answer these questions?. A coat costs £80 The coat is in a sale with 25% off What is the new cost of the coat? In the following sentence which word is spelt incorrectly ? ‘be careful, the kettel is hot.’.

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Functional Skills Update (England)

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  1. Functional Skills Update(England) 2007

  2. Can you answer these questions? A coat costs £80 The coat is in a sale with 25% off What is the new cost of the coat? In the following sentence which word is spelt incorrectly? ‘be careful, the kettel is hot.’

  3. Qualification development and reform Functional skills (FS) are a key part of educational reform programme which includes the following: • Diplomas • Foundation Learning Tier (FLT) • Existing 14 – 19 qualifications • Key Stage 3 revision • Modernisation of the exam process • Vocational qualifications reform

  4. What are Functional Skills? ‘Functional’ skills are practical skills in English, mathematics and information and communication technology (ICT) that allow individuals to operate confidently, effectively and independently in life. (QCA) • Further Clarification “Functional Skills” Your Questions answered. QCA website

  5. Why are Functional Skills being introduced? • Employers and educators identified these skills as vital for enabling young people and adults to have the practical skills to succeed in further learning, employment and life in modern society. • To ensure all young people and adults are able to develop these vital skills. • To support raised attainment.

  6. Headlines • QCA Stand alone pilots only • 3 year Pilots for Maths, English • and ICT • Entry 1 to Level 2 • Requirement of Diplomas • GCSE Integrated pilot • postponed • Embedded into BTECs

  7. National benchmarks and targets for functional skills • 14-19 • Level 2 in English, maths and ICT • Adults (Leitch agenda) • Level 1 English • Entry 3 maths • ICT – no target

  8. How will Functional Skills fit with the Key Skills/Basic Skills? • FS stand-alone qualifications suitable for both young people and adults (from 2011 onwards). • Expected to replace existing key and basic skills • key skills qualifications at levels 1 and 2. • Basic skills qualifications in literacy, numeracy (ALAN) & ICT. • These qualifications will remain until at least 2010 (certification until 2012).

  9. How will Functional Skills fit with the new Diplomas? • Form an integral part of the Diplomas from 2008 • Will be a mandatory part of the generic learning • Learners will be required to achieve FS: • at level 1 for Diplomas at level 1 • at level 2 for Diplomas at levels 2 and 3 • Visit the Edexcel Diploma website, sign up for an e-alert www.edexcel.org.uk/diploma • Specs available at http://developments.edexcel.org.uk/diplomas/

  10. How will Functional skills contribute to the adult skills agenda? • ‘Functional’ skills for adults is crucial: • Tackle the skills gap • support employers’ needs • Confident adults interacting within their communities. • More adult centres piloting FS next year

  11. What about GCSEs? • Current GCSE + FS pilots in English and ICT have been postponed by QCA • From 2010 hurdles will operate for Grade C and above • Possibility of GCSE pilots in the next year – watch this space

  12. How else will the FS the standards be used? • Embedded into BTEC • BTEC Select Programme • linked to vocational programmes Ideas for modelling your curriculum • http://www.edexcel.org.uk/quals/alan/ri/embedding/ • Another good source http://www.totallyskilled.co.uk/awardingBody/ab.htm

  13. Current position • National pilots will commence in September 2007 • Approx 1200 centres will take part in the pilots • Each awarding body will be offering different functional skills qualifications to ensure that there is coverage across levels and subjects • Stand-alone qualifications will be set and marked by awarding bodies • Centres that are a nominated FS centre and are through the Gateway can take part in the pilot

  14. Time line for Pilot Sept 2007: first teaching for stand alone pilots June 2008: first assessment opportunity Sept 2008: functional skills will be included in the Diplomas Sept 2010: functional skills for maths, English and ICT as a hurdle to achieving GCSE grade C 2011 onwards: phasing out of existing key skills and adult literacy and numeracy qualifications commences

  15. Functional Skills English Assessment: • Single paper test for reading and writing (90 mins) • Separate tests for level 1 and 2 • Reading and writing will be thematically linked. • Externally Marked by Edexcel. • Speaking and Listening internally marked (30 mins) • Guidance for speaking + listening in English in exemplar tasks. No other controlled conditions.

  16. Functional Skills Maths Assessment: • Single paper test (90 mins) • Separate tests for level 1 and 2 • Externally Marked by Edexcel. • will have free text and multiple choice questions • will be assessed in a range of contexts

  17. Functional Skills ICT Assessment: • Single computer based set test (90 mins) • Separate tests for level 1 and 2 • Externally Marked by Edexcel. • will have practical activities and free text questions • will be assessed in a range of contexts

  18. Functional Skills Assessment- Overview • All assessment across the subjects will be no longer than 90 minutes. • Separate assessments for Level 1 and Level 2. • First year of pilot one assessment, June 08. • More assessment opportunities thereafter. • Detailed feedback through ResultsPlus • Unlimited resits

  19. Edexcel Pilot: Key dates for 2007/8 • September 2007 – registration forms sent to all centres that have been offered a place. It’s still not too late to express interest. Specifications available to centres • November 2007 - Further support materials available to pilot centres. Sample assessments available. • March 2008 – Entries deadline for June 2008 test series • June 2008 – first assessment opportunity for English, maths and ICT: more opps. Next year • August 2008 – Results published

  20. Edexcel Support • Developing a series of materials and resources to build into a portfolio of support materials that will include: • Curriculum modelling for functional skills as stand-alone and with other subjects • Examples, content exemplification and case studies • Practice assessment materials • Online interactive resources • Text books • Details of how to access training events and online e-seminars.

  21. What about centres not selected to pilot from September 2007? • Email updates and ways to be involved via our website Join our FS Support Programme. This aims to provide: • Email updates: advice & information • Briefing Pack: sample assessments, models, TSM etc • There may be opportunities to get involved with pilot training from September 2007 • Committed to supporting centres offering Adult Literacy and Numeracy as preparation for functional skills • Anticipated we can expand the pilots for 2008 and 2009

  22. What else is Edexcel doing? • Supporting centres with ALAN qualifications • Working with Local Authorities and centres to look at models of delivery and assessment • Preparing case studies and supporting materials to share best practice • Disseminating information, as available (website, Insights, email updates) • From late October we are able to offer customised training for centres

  23. Preparation for FS • Use training opportunities to support CPD for staff to think through how they might deliver functional skills • Use of Results Plus Analysis and Results Plus Skills to raise current achievement and prepare for future success • Use of Basic Skills ALAN to prepare for on-demand assessment • Consider delivery of ALAN as part of the GCSE • Consider embedding key skills delivery and assessment as part of vocational programmes

  24. How do I keep updated? • Visit the Edexcel FS web site • Insights magazine from Edexcel • Register for Policy Watch updates • Sign up for email updates • Express interest in the pilots http://developments.edexcel.org.uk/fs/ • Alternatively join our FS Support Programme. Complete the request form then hand in or fax/post. • Contact your Edexcel regional office or curriculum development manager (if known)

  25. More Information Visit these websites: • Department for Children, Schools and Families 14-19 website http://www.dfes.gov.uk/14-19/ • QCA 14-19 http://www.qca.org.uk/14%2D19/ http://www.qca.org.uk/qca_6062.aspx • LSN http://www.lsneducation.org.uk/functionalskills/

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