1 Functional Skills Update. 2 Qualification development and reform Functional skills (FS) are a key part of educational reform programme which includes.
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Functional Skills Update
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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
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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)
• For further clarification on “Functional Skills” Visit your questions answered on the QCA website
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The White Paper also stated that:• Achievement of GCSE English, Maths and ICT at
grade C or above will not be possible without achievement of the relevant functional skill at level 2
• Achievement of functional skills will be a requirement for achievement of the Diplomas
• Functional Skills will be available as a stand-alone qualification
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Why are they being introduced?
To address employers’ concerns that young people and adults are not achieving a firm grounding in English, Maths and ICT(14 - 19 Education and Skills White Paper)
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• 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.
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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
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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
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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).
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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
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Functional Skills and GCSEs
• The intention is that a pass in Functional Skills at level 2 will be a requirement for the awarding of the GCSE (English, Maths and ICT) at grade C or above, when the revised qualifications are introduced in September 2010.
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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
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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
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Time line for Pilot
Sept 2007: First teaching for stand alone pilotsJune 2008: First assessment opportunitySept 2008: Functional Skills will be included in the
DiplomasSept 2010: Functional Skills for Maths, English and
ICT will be an hurdle to achieving GCSE grade C
2011 ……: Phasing out of existing key skills and adult literacy and numeracy qualifications commences
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More InformationVisit these websites:• Department for Children, Schools and Families 14-19
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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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
More Information
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What else can I do to prepare?• Have a look at the FS standards on the
QCA website: • http://www.qca.org.uk/15895.html
• The standards are being used by awarding bodies to develop the FS pilot qualifications but will be of interest to a ‘wider’ audience
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Why should you join a pilot?
• Get ahead • Opportunity to shape and influence the new
qualifications to ensure what is develops provides you with the best possible solution to meet your needs and those of your students
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The Dates for Functional Skills training are:
Day 1 & Day 2
Tuesday/Wednesday 04th & 5th of March 2008
Day 3
Wednesday 14th of May 2008
Day 4
Monday 30th of June 2008
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Exam Board Qualifications
AQA
EDEXCEL
OCR
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AQA Functional Skills
• Unitised structure – flexibility, resits –
vital when Level 2 FS hurdle applied to GCSE
• English - 3 assessment units
• ICT - 2 assessment units
• Maths - 1 assessment units (2 components)
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AQA English Assessment– reading externally set multiple choice, 45 minutes– writing externally set task testing writing to
inform/persuade, 45 minutes– speaking and listening internal assessment of presentation and
discussion
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AQA ICT Assessment - externally set test
multiple choice, sentence completion, matching pairs, ordering and searching,
1 hour
- externally set task
at screen using data files (modelled on Key Skills Level 3 test), 1 hour 30 mins
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AQA Maths Assessment
– Externally set written paper,
non calculator,
40 minutes
– Externally set written paper,
with calculator, with pre-release materials, 1 hour
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Edexcel Functional Skills EnglishAssessment:• Single paper test for reading and writing (90 mins)• Externally Marked by Edexcel• Separate tests for level 1 and 2 • Reading and writing will be thematically linked. • . • Speaking and Listening • Internally marked (30 mins)• Guidance for speaking + listening in English in exemplar
tasks. No other controlled conditions.
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Edexcel 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
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Edexcel Functional Skills ICTAssessment:
• 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
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OCR’s Functional English assessment
Two components:Reading and Writing • OCR set and marked• Comprising 2 scenario-
based tasks• Duration 60 minutes
Levels 1 & 2• Controlled, supervised
conditions• Learners will be able to
use a Word Processor to complete tasks
Speaking and Listening• Centre assessed• OCR moderated• L1 – short discussion• L2 – short discussion
and short presentation
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OCR’s Functional Maths assessment
• OCR set and marked assessment
• Comprising 3 scenario-based tasks
• Duration 75 minutes (Levels 1 & 2)
• Controlled, supervised conditions
• Will be able to use a calculator
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OCR’s Functional ICT assessment
• OCR set and marked assessment• Comprising 3 practical tasks using a computer• Duration between 75 minutes (Level 1)
and 90 minutes (Level 2)• Controlled, supervised conditions• Will be able to use software ‘help’ facilities
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