Ofqual yesterday published its "Thematic
review of Functional Skills" - we have first analysis of this and links to download the 25 page document.
We also have a quick reminder of the many events on
plus links to the £250,000+ ForSkills 10th birthday e-portfolio prize giveaway.
As always, feel free to contact Jonathan Wells, the
editor of this newsletter on 0191 3055045 or jonathan@forskills.co.uk and
if you'd like to comment on the new style of newsletter, including the picture
to the right - please do!
"A thematic
evaluation is a review of a particular aspect of quality or standards focusing
on experience and practice that cuts across programmes and institutions."
Basically this review, which is focused solely upon Awarding
Organisations, is a look back at what worked and what didn't and what needs to
happen to make things better!
This Ofqual report/review is about the assessment
of Functional Skills, in particular English and maths at level 2. Whilst
the existence of the report has been well trailed, it is very discrete in what
it covers - essentially an analysis of Awarding Organisations assessment,
performance and techniques.
If you were expecting to read about specific issues
being addressed, you will be disappointed, presumably as these are confidential
to each AO. It also does not give any answers as to how the teaching and
learning part of Functional Skills may change (this is the responsibility of
ETF).
The context is important however. More than 1
million Functional Skills qualifications are undertaken each year now making it
the largest non-GCSE qualification and confidence levels in Functional Skills
are excellent - a finding that the 2015 Annual Functional Skills Survey published
last week fully supports.
The conclusion of the review is that some aspects
need to be improved - awarding organisations are now making changes in
four key areas:
- Improving the quality of assessment materials
- Reducing the risk of malpractice and
maladministration
- Strengthening standard setting procedures
- Evaluating better how far qualifications are meeting
user needs.
The majority of improvements will be in place by
this summer. Ofsted are comfortable with the AOs making these changes
without formal regulatory action but they will review again in the Autumn to
ensure changes are taking place successfully.
In summary, and reading between the lines,
confidence in Functional Skills is excellent, the qualification works but it
can be improved and Ofqual are really keen to ensure that all AOs are setting
assessments that are equally rigorous.
Click through to the report here.
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