Functional Skills Update

Functional Skills Update : 

1 Functional Skills Update

Qualification development and reform : 

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

What are Functional Skills? : 

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

The White Paper also stated that: : 

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

Why are they being introduced? : 

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)

Slide 6: 

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.

Slide 7: 

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

National benchmarks and targets for functional skills : 

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

How will Functional Skills fit with the Key Skills/Basic Skills? : 

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).

How will Functional Skills fit with the new Diplomas? : 

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

Functional Skills and GCSEs : 

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.

What about GCSEs? : 

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

Current position : 

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

Time line for 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 will be an hurdle to achieving GCSE grade C 2011 ……: Phasing out of existing key skills and adult literacy and numeracy qualifications commences

More Information : 

15 More Information Visit 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/

More Information : 

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

What else can I do to prepare? : 

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

Why should you join a pilot? : 

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

The Dates for Functional Skills training are: : 

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

Exam Board Qualifications : 

20 Exam Board Qualifications AQA EDEXCEL OCR

AQA Functional Skills : 

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)

AQA English Assessment : 

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

AQA ICT Assessment : 

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

AQA Maths Assessment : 

24 AQA Maths Assessment Externally set written paper, non calculator, 40 minutes Externally set written paper, with calculator, with pre-release materials, 1 hour

Edexcel Functional Skills English : 

25 Edexcel Functional Skills English Assessment: 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.

Edexcel Functional Skills Maths : 

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

Edexcel Functional Skills ICT : 

27 Edexcel 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

OCR’s Functional English assessment Two components: : 

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

OCR’s Functional Maths assessment : 

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

OCR’s Functional ICT assessment : 

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