Diploma Aggregation Service
Becta: 14-19 Diplomas: Learning the lessons of the new operating model
24 November 2008
Richard FitzpatrickMinerva Project Manager
Content
• Context• Role of the aggregation service• Learner Accounts• High level process• What it looks like• The bigger picture (service structure and interfaces)• Security• Access and training• DAS and the MIAP LRS• Service support• Current state• Next steps• Questions
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Minerva project background
• Feb 2005 Government published 14-19 Education and Skills White Paper.
• Introduced concept of the Diploma (component based, designed to develop an individual’s skills through a mix of theoretical and practical learning)
• QCA given responsibility for ensuring that “the systems to deliver Diplomas are effective and efficient”
• Jan 2007 Minerva project remit amended to focus exclusively on delivery of the IT to enable Diploma awarding
• Sept 2007 Steria engaged as IT Supplier to deliver the Diploma Aggregation Service
The Diploma Challenge
Learner
Learner
Learner
Learner
Centre
Centre
Centre
Consortia of schools, colleges and work based learning providers
AB
AB
AB
ABAB
AB
Multiple Component Awarding Bodies
(CAB)
Diploma Awarding Body
(DAB)
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Role of the Diploma aggregation service
The purpose of the service is to support the awarding of Diplomas through data sharing and aggregation.
• It records Diploma constituent qualification results against each learner.
• It aggregates a learner’s results and applies ‘rules of combination’ to determine if sufficient results have been achieved for a Diploma to be claimed.
• If sufficient results are achieved, the system calculates a trial grade so the Diploma can be claimed and awarded by a Diploma awarding body.
6
Learner Accounts
Every Diploma learner will need a Diploma learner account
• Used to post and collate results of Diploma constituent qualifications within the Diploma aggregation service.
• Administered on behalf of a learner by the Learner administrator (the person, usually an Exams officer, who is responsible for creating and maintaining learner accounts on the aggregation service for their centre).
• Opened for each Diploma learner by the Home Centre Learner administrator using the learner’s Unique Learner Number (ULN).
• Requires basic personal details, for example, ULN, family name, given name, DOB and gender.
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How it works - high level process
CollateDiploma
result
Notify centre of completed
Diploma andissue trial grade
KeyAwarding Body activities
Learner activities
Diploma aggregation service activities
Centre activities
EO updateLearnerAccount
with PLTSand WE
CAB updatelearneraccount
with results
Yes Enterlearner with
CAB
OpenLearnerAccount
Completelearning
Obtain ULN
No
ULN?Diploma learner
DAB issuesDiploma
ClaimDiploma
Decide to claimDiploma
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The bigger picture
Centres
Diploma Aggregation Service
QCA Organisational Boundary
Diploma AggregationService Data Store
LearnerCentre User CAB User DAB User
Learner Accounts Record Results Aggregate and
Grade Claim Diploma Supporting Processes
Diploma InformationManagement Services
Diploma Aggregation and Grading Services
CentreData Store
DCSF Organisational Boundary
DfES Gateway
MIAP Organisational Boundary
Learner Registration Service
UK Register of Learning Providers QCA Reference
Data Stores - RoC(WBA -> QMIS)
ULN Directory
UKRLP Directory
Component Awarding Bodies
CAB Data Store
Diploma Awarding Bodies
DAB Data Store
QCA User
DCSF User
Schools Directory
Key Diploma Business Processes
Aggregation & Grading Services
Information Management Services
Diploma Aggregation Service
Data
Direct Relationship (critical data feed)
Indirect Relationship (non-critical data feed)
Business ProcessesKey:
NAA CRMCentre Data
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Diploma aggregation service web browser
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Protecting all our interests
• A secure service governed by strict terms and conditions…– Access restricted to authorised users (learners have no direct access)– Commercial agreements in place between QCA and DAS users– Online T’s & C’s
• Access to information limited by user profile…– Role based (e.g. Learner Administrator, Learner Data Viewer, TPLA)– Controlled at two levels (System Administrator; Local Administrator)
• Industry standards applied…– ISO/IEC 17799:2005– ISO27001
• e-Government Framework compliant (and W3C, WAI, WCAG)
• DPA compliant
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Access and Training
Timings– Early adopters opened learner accounts in July– The full service for recording learner achievements and
triggering a Diploma went live 1 September 2008
Training– ‘Train the trainer’ – Classroom based with supporting CBT– Role based– Rollout June - October
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DAS and the MIAP LRS
• Memorandum of Understanding– Scope of services necessary for the operation of the DAS– Service Levels– Issue Escalation and Dispute Resolution Process
• DAS Management Board– MIAP are represented
• DAS Operations Group– Consultative group for ABs; includes MIAP
Also:• DAS Advisory Group
– Consultative group for key stakeholders; AoC, EOA.
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Service support
Diploma aggregation service Help Desk
Diploma aggregation service
Diploma aggregation serviceTechnical Support
MIS1 MIS2 MIS3
MIS Providers
DAB
Awarding Bodies
CAB
MIAP
C1
Learner
Centres’ 1st Line calls
QCA Systems
Government
Centres
C2 C3
Centres’ 1st Line Support
Centres’ 2nd Line Support
Boundary of environment
Centres’1st Line calls
2/nd/3nd Line calls
Other 1st Line calls
Other potential routes
Frequently asked QuestionsFAQ
Diploma aggregation service Help Desk
Diploma aggregation service
Diploma aggregation serviceTechnical Support
MIS1 MIS2 MIS3
MIS Providers
DAB
Awarding Bodies
CAB
MIAP
C1
Learner
Centres’ 1st Line calls
QCA Systems
Government
Centres
C2 C3
Centres’ 1st Line Support
Centres’ 2nd Line Support
Boundary of environment
Centres’1st Line calls
2/nd/3nd Line calls
Other 1st Line calls
Other potential routes
Frequently asked Questions
Boundary of environment
Centres’1st Line calls
2/nd/3nd Line calls
Other 1st Line calls
Other potential routes
Frequently asked QuestionsFAQ
Service management helpdesk environment
Full Service Operational since 1st September• 11 Release1 early adopter Centres• 870 centres now online• Over 5000 Learner accounts opened to 20th November• All Help Desks and data feeds active• Key service levels in operation with monthly reviews with all suppliers• Daily, weekly and monthly service reports
Key Risks:• High volume of Wave 2/3 centres need to be managed• The service could be destabilised by high volume of change requests
Management Summary of service operations
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Next steps
• DAS ‘on-boarding’ activity for Phase 2 CABs/DABs began this month• MIS Technical Workshop 20th October – some take-up to on-board• Release 3 in early March, then project closure• For further information on the Diploma aggregation service, visit our
project website; www.diploma-aggregation-service.co.uk
Any Questions?