1 Functional Skills Update. 2 Qualification development and reform Functional skills (FS) are a key part of educational reform programme which includes.

1

Functional Skills Update

2

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

3

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

4

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

5

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)

6

• 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.

7

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

8

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

9

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).

10

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

11

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.

12

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

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 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

15

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/

16

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

17

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

18

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

19

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

20

Exam Board Qualifications

AQA

EDEXCEL

OCR

21

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)

22

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

23

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

24

AQA Maths Assessment

– Externally set written paper,

non calculator,

40 minutes

– Externally set written paper,

with calculator, with pre-release materials, 1 hour

25

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.

26

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

27

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

28

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

29

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

30

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